The Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers have reached an agreement on a trade involving star forward Kawhi Leonard returning to Toronto, as per various media outlets. The trade is pending a formal approval through a trade call, with ESPN’s Shams Charania being the first to report the deal.
The Raptors have refrained from commenting on the rumored trade as of Monday, and CBC Sports has not independently verified the reports. In the proposed trade, the Clippers would acquire all-star forward Brandon Ingram, guard Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, a 2027 first-round pick swap, and two second-round picks.
The completion of the trade was delayed as the NBA conducted an investigation into Leonard and the Clippers for potential salary cap violations. The league concluded its probe on September 2, imposing a $700,000 fine on Leonard but opting not to suspend him or annul his contract.
Throughout the investigation, Leonard, Ingram, and Dick attempted to engage with their new teams within the confines of NBA regulations. Leonard attended Kyle Lowry’s news conference at OVO Athletic Centre on July 7, while Ingram was present at a Clippers summer league game in Las Vegas on July 10.
In the previous season, the 35-year-old Leonard averaged 27.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.9 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game for the Clippers in 2025-26. Ingram, during his brief tenure in Toronto, averaged 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists before sustaining an injury in the playoffs. Dick saw a decline in performance in his third NBA season, registering career-low averages of six points, 1.9 rebounds, and 0.7 assists.
Although Leonard played a pivotal role in the Raptors’ 2019 championship triumph, he only spent one season with the team before moving to the Clippers in free agency. It is anticipated that Leonard will address the trade and his return to the Raptors during the team’s media day on September 28.
