The Toronto Raptors are reportedly set to reacquire Kawhi Leonard in a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers. This move would reunite Leonard with the team he led to an NBA championship in 2019. The deal, which has been widely reported, would see the Raptors send multiple draft picks and players to the Clippers.
According to reports, the Clippers are expected to receive Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, a pick swap in 2027, and two second-round picks. This package represents a significant investment for the Raptors to bring back the seven-time All-Star.
Following the finalization of the trade, the Raptors are expected to sign Leonard to a two-year max extension. As a player with over 10 seasons of experience, Leonard is eligible for a contract worth 35 percent of the projected salary cap in 2027-28. This extension could see him earn $60.6 million in 2026-27 and $65.5 million in 2028-29, totalling $126.1 million in new money.
Impact of the Trade
The potential return of Leonard has generated considerable discussion within the basketball community. ESPN NBA analyst Brian Windhorst described the move as a “real balance of power-shifting trade,” suggesting it could alter the landscape of the Eastern Conference. Former NBA player Iman Shumpert also expressed approval for the Raptors’ acquisition.
The Raptors’ roster, which includes Scottie Barnes, Canadian swingman RJ Barrett, rookie Collin Murray-Boyles, point guard Immanuel Quickley, and young rotation players Jamal Shead and Ja’Kobe Walter, is seen as being on the cusp of competitiveness. The team took the Cleveland Cavaliers to seven games in the first round of the playoffs last season, indicating their potential.
Leonard’s addition is expected to bolster this lineup. Last season, he averaged 27.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.9 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game for Los Angeles in 2025-26. He is recognized as a two-time NBA champion, having also won with San Antonio in 2014, and is considered one of the league’s top defensive players.
The first-round picks involved in the trade, scheduled for 2031 and 2033, carry a potential risk for the Raptors. By that time, Leonard, who will be 35 years old, is likely to be retired, and Barnes will be nearing the end of his prime playing years. Leonard’s history with injuries is also a consideration; he has never played more than 74 games in a season and missed the entire 2021-22 campaign due to a partial ACL tear in his right knee.
Leonard’s History and Controversy
Leonard’s initial departure from Toronto in 2019, weeks after leading the Raptors to their only championship, saw him sign a three-year, US$103 million contract with his hometown Clippers as a free agent. He later re-signed with the Clippers in August 2021 to a max four-year, $176.3 million contract, which included a player option for the fourth year.
This contract has been part of a controversy following allegations in September 2025 regarding a $28 million “no-show” endorsement deal with Aspiration, an environmental company that filed for bankruptcy in March 2025. The alleged deal reportedly did not require any action from Leonard other than remaining with the Clippers.
Despite the complexities, the sentiment among some is that repatriating Leonard is a necessary move for the Raptors. One report suggested that turning away the opportunity to reacquire the multiple-time All-Star, All-NBA team member, and NBA Finals MVP would have been a disservice to both the team’s roster and its fan base. Leonard’s representatives reportedly informed other teams that the Raptors were the only team with whom he wished to sign a contract extension.
The deal, while agreed upon, cannot be made official until July 6.
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Source: sportsnet.ca
Chloe Tremblay is the Sports Reporter at CasinoNews, covering basketball, tennis and athletics with nine years of reporting experience. She reported on the Raptors' rise and two Olympic cycles. She holds a degree in Journalism from Concordia University. Based in Montreal, she plays recreational basketball and follows track athletics. “The best stories come from the athletes everyone overlooks.”
