The L.A. Clippers will shift their focus to the 2019 offseason, hoping to free up enough cap space to lure soon-to-be free agent forward Kawhi Leonard, making it a “high offseason priority” according to ESPN's Chris Haynes.

The Clippers could be serious contenders for his services, given that the Los Angeles Lakers have not been aggressive enough to pry him out of the hands of the San Antonio Spurs.

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If the Lakers commit to other signings in order to lure LeBron James and lock salaries in place, the Clippers could hop right into the conversation with new-found cap space after the departure of DeAndre Jordan to the Dallas Mavericks, as Leonard gave indication of wanting to play in Los Angeles, without specifying his team of preference, only his hometown.

ESPN's Steven A. Smith previously said that the Clippers would prepare for the upcoming offseason, knowing just how tough of a negotiator the Spurs have been know to be over the last few decades, including their long-known policy to not trade players to teams in the same conference.