Detroit has tabled a three-team package that would send shooting guard Duncan Robinson, veteran guard Caris LeVert and rookie forward Ronald Holland II to the Los Angeles Clippers. In return the Pistons would receive two-time NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard and a 2029 second-round pick that originated with the Memphis Grizzlies and passed through Portland. The Clippers also acquire a 2027 first-round pick, a 2029 first-round pick from Detroit and a 2031 second-round pick from Memphis as part of the swap. The involvement of Memphis, which previously completed the Isiah Stewart trade with Detroit, smooths the logistical side of the transaction.
Leonard is entering the final year of his contract, which carries a $50.3 million salary for the 2026-27 season. That figure sits comfortably under Detroit’s current luxury-tax cushion; the Pistons are well below the tax line and have already cleared cap space by moving contracts and draft assets. Robinson and LeVert’s deals are described as manageable, and Holland is a young prospect with a modest salary, making the incoming contracts feasible for a team looking to stay flexible.
Adding a two-time NBA Finals MVP dramatically shifts the Pistons’ roster outlook. Leonard’s defensive instincts and ability to create his own shot would give a young core a veteran presence that can produce at a high level when healthy. His experience dovetails with Detroit’s recent focus on building around emerging pieces such as Jalen Duren, for whom the organization is already contemplating a possible max extension. The extra draft capital, particularly the 2027 and 2029 first-rounders, adds further flexibility for future moves.
For the Clippers, the trade delivers three perimeter shooters who can keep the floor spaced and a collection of future picks that align with a rebuilding timeline. Leonard’s health history has limited his upside, and the franchise appears ready to pivot rather than lock him into a max extension. By moving the veteran contract, Los Angeles can accelerate a shift toward a younger, asset-rich roster while retaining the ability to target new talent in upcoming drafts.
If the deal clears, Detroit will need to decide quickly whether to pursue a long-term extension with Leonard before free agency opens in July, a decision that could affect its ability to retain Duren and other emerging pieces. Should negotiations stall, Leonard stays in Los Angeles and the Pistons continue exploring other avenues to add a marquee name to their roster.
Detroit Pistons 
