A recent report hinting the potential pairing of Kawhi Leonard and Jimmy Butler has now sparked flames around the league. The initial report by SNY's Ian Begley claimed that several teams envisioned pairing the two-way aces together, and Sam Amick of The Athletic has taken it one step further, linking that connection to the LA Clippers:

There are many scenarios seemingly in play, but sources say one in particular looks increasingly possible: Butler teaming up with Leonard on the Clippers. There are strong indications that Leonard is interested in having Butler as a running mate, and it’s the sort of powerful pairing that would certainly vault the Clippers into contention.

The Clippers, Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks are the only teams with two max slots ready and waiting for free agents to take up.

As is the case with most of these daunting processes, it is the bigger star who determines the franchise, and the second-best follows.

In this case, Leonard's interest is vacillating between staying with the Toronto Raptors or coming back home to the Clippers. Butler would have to follow him to LA, if he indeed does not plan to return to the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Knicks and Nets could pull this off too, but both New York teams have had their eyes zoned into Kevin Durant as their priority and are only viewed as a long shot to get Leonard this summer.

Pairing two defensive-minded players with their scoring capabilities could turn the Clippers into an absolute contender in the West, and give their hallway rival Los Angeles Lakers a good run for their money in the near future.