The Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers have once again come to terms on a Kawhi Leonard trade, opening the door for the long-stalled deal following the NBA’s inquiry into Leonard and the Clippers.
Toronto initially finalized the agreement on June 30, but the move stayed frozen for over two months as the league reviewed the Clippers’ salary-cap circumvention matter. The trade has not become official yet, and the two clubs are expected to arrange a trade call.
Toronto will send Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, a 2027 pick swap, and second-round selections in 2030 and 2033 to Los Angeles in exchange for Leonard.
The draft compensation carries special weight for the Clippers, who already owe three years of pick control to the Oklahoma City Thunder and Philadelphia 76ers from the James Harden acquisition. They were also recently stripped of five first-round picks spanning 2029 through 2033 after the NBA concluded they had circumvented the salary cap by funneling more money to Leonard through endorsements than allowed.
Kawhi Leonard’s trade at last advances
The Clippers accepted the NBA’s penalties Sunday night, with suspended owner Steve Ballmer stating the organization was determined to move past the matter. The remark came before the NBA owners’ meetings set for this week in New York.
For Toronto, though, the most significant development is Leonard’s homecoming. His health will stay the foremost concern during his tenure with the Raptors, making his availability a critical factor in the team’s planning.
Leonard is entering the final year of his current contract and is owed $50 million in 2026-27. He is anticipated to sign an extension with Toronto, which was among the reasons the Raptors chased the trade. Leonard had mostly dictated his destination by naming the teams he would stay with beyond the coming season.
Kawhi Leonard fits next to Scottie Barnes
The promising indicator for Toronto is Leonard’s recent form. He appeared in 65 games last season, his healthiest and arguably strongest regular season in nearly ten years, while placing seventh in MVP voting and collecting All-NBA second-team recognition.
Leonard provides the Raptors with a proven primary scorer who can shoulder the late-game offensive load. That could let Scottie Barnes, who had been leaned on heavily as a late-game shot creator, shift toward a role better matching his strengths while Leonard takes on more of the pick-and-roll and isolation scoring duties.
Toronto will still need to figure out how Barnes and Leonard function together offensively because they prefer many of the same spots on the floor. Leonard’s three-point shooting could become especially valuable when both players share the court, while the closing minutes are expected to feature Leonard as the primary offensive option.
Keeping Leonard healthy across the 82-game season and a possible playoff run will be the priority. Barnes can deliver substantial scoring on his own, particularly as a rising mid-range threat and elite passer, while R.J. Barrett gives Toronto another player capable of putting up 20 points.
Raptors reshape offense with Leonard
There should be ample offensive chances in Toronto. The Raptors came close to a top-10 offense last season, though much of their output came in transition, an area where Leonard also thrives.
Ingram had been acquired to supply isolation scoring, especially in pivotal moments, and he averaged 21.5 points per game while earning an All-Star selection. However, his slower, more deliberate style did not mesh especially well with Toronto’s wish to play fast and freely.
The Raptors were nine points worse per 100 possessions with Ingram on the floor last season, according to Cleaning the Glass, and his shortcomings were exposed during the playoffs as Toronto was eliminated by Cleveland in the first round.
Leonard now gives the Raptors a different kind of offensive centerpiece, while Barnes, Barrett, and the rest of the roster keep important roles. The next step is for Toronto to convert the renewed trade agreement into an official move and build around Leonard’s scoring while managing the biggest question surrounding him: his health.