Reports: Raptors agree to acquire Kawhi Leonard in trade with Clippers

Reports: Raptors agree to acquire Kawhi Leonard in trade with Clippers

The Toronto Raptors have agreed to a blockbuster trade to bring back two-time NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard from the Los Angeles Clippers, marking a return to the franchise he led to its first NBA championship in 2019.

According to reports from ESPN and other outlets, the deal sends All-Star forward Brandon Ingram, guard Gradey Dick, and a significant haul of draft capital to Los Angeles. The Clippers will receive unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, second-round picks in 2030 and 2033, and a first-round pick swap scheduled for 2027.

Leonard, 35, enters the final year of a three-year, $149 million contract, with one season remaining that is scheduled to pay him $50.3 million. A primary driver in Toronto's decision to execute the trade was Leonard's willingness to sign a contract extension. Sources indicate the two sides will soon structure a two-year extension to keep the future Hall of Famer in Toronto through the 2028-29 season. This move makes him immediately eligible for an extension worth up to $123.7 million.

The trade comes after a period of tension in Los Angeles. While Leonard had expressed a desire to remain with the Clippers, the organization was reportedly reluctant to make a long-term commitment to the seven-time All-Star. The Clippers' tenure with Leonard was defined by regular-season success but marred by injuries and playoff disappointments; the team won only three playoff series during his seven seasons and has not advanced past the opening round since 2021.

Leonard is coming off one of his most productive offensive seasons. During the 2025-26 campaign, he averaged a career-high 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists over 65 games, shooting 50.5 percent from the field. Despite his individual brilliance and a seventh All-NBA honor, the Clippers finished with a 42-40 record and were eliminated by the Golden State Warriors in the play-in tournament.

For the Raptors, the acquisition is a bid to raise the team's ceiling and maximize the prime of two-time All-Star Scottie Barnes. Toronto is coming off a 46-win season and a first-round exit against the Cleveland Cavaliers. To secure Leonard, the Raptors parted with Ingram, who averaged 21.5 points and 5.6 rebounds in his lone season in Toronto, and Gradey Dick, the 13th overall pick from the 2023 NBA Draft.

The deal carries a high risk for Toronto due to the timing of the draft assets. As noted by TSN's Josh Lewenberg, because the first-round picks are not due until 2031 and 2033, Leonard will likely be retired or very late in his career by the time they are used. If the Raptors are not competitive in those years, the Clippers could potentially land high draft selections.

Leonard’s departure from Los Angeles occurs while the NBA continues an investigation into allegations of salary-cap circumvention. The probe centers on a "no-show" endorsement deal Leonard allegedly signed with Aspiration, a Clippers sponsor. While owner Steve Ballmer admitted to introducing Leonard to the company's leadership, the Clippers have denied any illegal behavior. Commissioner Adam Silver stated during the NBA Finals that the league is close to wrapping up the investigation.

The trade reunites Leonard with Raptors general manager Bobby Webster, who was a key figure in the 2018 trade that first brought Leonard to Toronto from the San Antonio Spurs. That original tenure was brief but historic, culminating in a 2019 title and Leonard's second Finals MVP award.