Clippers may be forced to trade $197M elusive 3-time All-Star after Kawhi Leonard punishment

The Los Angeles Clippers were the most talked-about team this offseason, and it was definitely not for the right reasons. The Clippers will enter the season trying to figure out how to maneuver the future of the organization after the NBA dropped the hammer.

LA was caught giving Kawhi Leonard improper benefits over the last few years. As a result, the Clippers lost five first-round draft picks.

“The NBA on Wednesday announced severe punishments for the LA Clippers -- including the loss of five future first-round draft picks, a fine of $30 million and a yearlong suspension of owner Steve Ballmer -- for violating salary cap circumvention rules in a case involving star Kawhi Leonard," ESPN wrote.

The Clippers will try to find ways to get that draft capital back, and it could very well force them into trades they don't want to make. One name that has emerged as a likely trade candidate is three-time All-Star Darius Garland.

“Rival teams believe Darius Garland could become a likely trade candidate this season for the Clippers. With Los Angeles now in dire need to collect premium future assets, Garland is the one who holds the most value league-wide. If LA gets off to a slow start, teams will call,” NBA reporter Evan Sidery wrote.

This would essentially mean that the Clippers gave up James Harden for no reason when they traded him back in February. Garland was the returning piece from the Cleveland Cavaliers.

“The LA Clippers have traded 11-time All-Star guard James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers for guard Darius Garland and a second-round pick, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania on Tuesday,” ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne wrote.

Garland is an exciting young, emerging star who would make an immediate impact on any roster he is sent to. Of everyone on the roster, he definitely has the most trade value.

Garland is currently on a $197 million contract. The Clippers are hoping they won't have to get rid of him, but after these punishments, there might not be another choice.