Raptors Complete Kawhi Leonard Trade After Two-Month Delay
The Toronto Raptors have completed their trade for Kawhi Leonard, ending a delay of more than two months caused by the NBA's investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers.
The teams agreed the deal on 30 June but put it on hold on 9 July while the league examined whether the Clippers had circumvented salary cap rules in their dealings with Leonard. With those findings published and the penalties issued, both clubs reconfirmed the original terms on Monday and called the trade into the league office.
The Terms
Toronto receive Leonard. The Clippers get forward Brandon Ingram, guard Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, second-round picks in 2030 and 2033, and the right to swap first-rounders in 2027.
Leonard waived a trade kicker worth $7.45 million to make the deal work. The bonus would have pushed Toronto above the first apron. According to ESPN's Bobby Marks, the Raptors now sit $2.3 million below that threshold with 13 guaranteed contracts.
The two first-round picks heading to Los Angeles carry added significance given the league stripped the Clippers of five of their own selections as part of the sanctions, covering 2029 through 2033.
"We're thrilled to welcome Kawhi back to Toronto," Raptors general manager Bobby Webster said. "His impact on our organization, our city and our country is undeniable, and he embodies the competitiveness and championship mindset that we value. We believe his leadership, experience and talent will help us as we continue building toward our next championship."
Why Toronto Waited
The Raptors paused the deal out of concern that the investigation might result in a suspension for Leonard or even his contract being voided. The Clippers had indicated the trade could only be finalised if Toronto's ownership accepted the risk of whatever penalties followed.
Toronto chose to wait for a ruling instead. Leonard ultimately received a comparatively light sanction, agreeing to pay the league $700,000 with no effect on his playing status. Investigators found he had received $66 million in cash and equity from four companies doing business with the Clippers, arrangements facilitated at the request of his uncle and former business manager Dennis Robertson.
Clippers general manager Trent Redden confirmed to Toronto on Monday that the trade remained on track.
A Return to Where He Won
Leonard, 35, spent a single season in Toronto in 2018-19, winning the championship and Finals MVP before leaving for the Clippers in free agency. He is a two-time Finals MVP and seven-time All-Star.
He enters the final year of a contract paying him $50 million and is expected to sign an extension with the Raptors, something the Clippers were unwilling to offer. That reluctance was what prompted him to look elsewhere in the first place.
His form last season suggests he remains capable of leading a contender. Leonard averaged a career-high 27.9 points across 65 games, along with 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.9 steals, shooting close to 39 per cent from three on 445 attempts.
He is now cleared to report to the Raptors' training camp in Quebec City at the end of the month. His arrival positions Toronto among the leading contenders in an Eastern Conference that also contains the champion New York Knicks, the Boston Celtics, a Philadelphia side that added LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, and the Detroit Pistons.
