Portland Trail Blazers Target Kawhi Leonard If Jayson Brown Deal Falls Through

After returning to the NBA playoffs for the first time since the 2020-21 season, the Portland Trail Blazers aim to advance past the first round for the first time since 2018-19. The team is focusing its efforts on acquiring Jayson Brown from the Boston Celtics, with Brown currently the top target for Portland this summer. However, if the deal to sign Brown does not materialize, the Blazers have prepared an alternative plan. According to ESPN reporter Jake Weinbach, Portland may shift all their efforts toward acquiring Kawhi Leonard to significantly strengthen their roster for the upcoming season. Weinbach noted that Portland recognizes a missing piece in their lineup and is actively pursuing a star player to compete in the tough Western Conference. Despite this backup plan, acquiring Leonard will also be challenging. Recent reports from Jake Fischer indicate that the Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers are negotiating a trade involving Leonard, who could return to Toronto, the team with which he won the 2019 championship. One proposed trade scenario includes Brandon Ingram moving in the opposite direction. The Blazers' pursuit of a star player highlights their ambition to elevate their competitiveness in the NBA this season.