Kawhi Leonard returns to Raptors in trade with Clippers, seven years after leading Toronto to its only NBA championship
The Toronto Raptors have agreed to acquire Kawhi Leonard from the LA Clippers, sending Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, and multiple draft picks to Los Angeles. Leonard, who led the Raptors to their only NBA title in 2019, is willing to sign an extension with Toronto.
The Toronto Raptors and LA Clippers have agreed to a trade that sends Kawhi Leonard back to Toronto, seven years after he led the franchise to its only NBA championship. The Raptors will send All-Star forward Brandon Ingram, guard Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, a 2027 pick swap, and two second-round picks to the Clippers, according to team sources. Leonard, who turned 35 on Monday, is entering the final year of a three-year, $149 million contract and is willing to sign an extension with Toronto, league sources said.
The trade details
The deal, first reported by ESPN and confirmed by multiple outlets, is pending physicals and league approval. Ingram, 28, earned his first All-Star selection last season, averaging 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists for a Raptors team that lost to Cleveland in the first round. Dick, a 2023 lottery pick, saw his role diminish last season. The draft capital gives the Clippers significant future flexibility as they pivot toward a younger core.
Leonard's return to Toronto
Leonard spent just one season with the Raptors in 2018-19, but he averaged 30.5 points in the playoffs, hit the four-bounce series-winner against Philadelphia, and was named Finals MVP after Toronto beat Golden State in six games. He then left for the Clippers in free agency. Now, at 35, he is coming off a career-best scoring season, averaging 27.9 points on 50.5/38.7/89.2 shooting splits, with 6.4 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game. He earned his seventh All-Star nod and was seventh in MVP voting.
- Points
- 27.9
- Rebounds
- 6.4
- Steals
- 1.9
- FG%
- 50.5
- 3P%
- 38.7
- FT%
- 89.2
Leonard's willingness to commit long-term was key to the Raptors' decision. Other teams, including Dallas, had interest, but Leonard's camp indicated he would only sign an extension with Toronto or San Antonio, according to league sources.
The Clippers' rebuild
The Clippers have been moving toward a younger roster. They traded James Harden to Cleveland and Ivica Zubac to Indiana during the 2025-26 season, acquiring draft picks including the selection used on point guard Keaton Wagler. Clippers president Lawrence Frank acknowledged the shift last week.
Plan still is to win with Kawhi. But the bigger plan is -- we understand we're not a contender. We're competitive. How are we going to get back to contention?
Leonard's seven-year Clippers tenure was marked by injuries: he played in only 59.7% of regular-season games and missed the entire 2021-22 season. The team never reached the Finals.
The NBA investigation
The trade comes as the NBA investigates whether the Clippers circumvented salary-cap rules through an endorsement deal between Leonard and Aspiration Fund Adviser, LLC. The $28 million contract, revealed by journalist Pablo Torre, was with a sustainability services company that later filed for bankruptcy. The league opened its probe in September 2025 to determine if the payments allowed the Clippers to exceed cap limits. The Raptors' willingness to proceed suggests they are not deterred by the investigation.
What it means for the Raptors
Toronto, a young playoff team built around Scottie Barnes and Collin Murray-Boyles, is betting that Leonard can elevate them in the Eastern Conference. Pairing Leonard's still-elite defense with Barnes could create a formidable duo. The risk is his age and injury history, but the Raptors have cap flexibility and a clear path to contention if Leonard stays healthy.
