Report: Raptors sending Clippers two first-round picks, two players in Kawhi Leonard trade
Kawhi Leonard is reportedly set to return to the Toronto Raptors after a deal was struck with the Los Angeles Clippers. This move would reunite Leonard with the team he led to the 2019 NBA championship, according to an individual familiar with the discussions.
The proposed trade involves the Raptors sending Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, and two unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 to the Clippers. Additionally, the deal includes a pick swap in 2027 and two second-round picks. The agreement, which was first reported by Shams Charania, is expected to become official on July 6.
Following the finalization of the deal, the Raptors are anticipated to sign Leonard to a two-year maximum extension. As a player with over 10 seasons of experience, Leonard is eligible for 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 earnings.
Impact of the Trade
The acquisition of Leonard comes with a substantial price for the Raptors. The unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033 carry a potential risk, as they would be conveyed when Leonard, who turned 35 on Monday, is likely retired and All-Star Scottie Barnes is nearing the end of his prime. Leonard has also faced injury concerns throughout his career, having never played more than 74 games in a single season and missing the entire 2021-22 campaign.
Despite these considerations, the Raptors demonstrated their competitive potential last season by taking the Cleveland Cavaliers to seven games in the first round of the playoffs. Leonard’s return is seen by some as a significant step towards contending for a championship. ESPN NBA analyst Brian Windhorst described the move as a “real balance of power-shifting trade,” indicating its potential to alter the landscape of the Eastern Conference.
Leonard’s last season with Los Angeles in 2025-26 saw him average 27.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.9 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game. He would join a Raptors roster that 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.
Leonard’s History and Accolades
Leonard is a highly decorated player, boasting seven All-Star selections, seven All-NBA selections, and two NBA championships. His first championship came in 2014 with San Antonio, and he is widely regarded as one of the league’s premier defensive players. His pivotal role in the Raptors’ 2019 championship run is well-remembered, particularly his dramatic buzzer-beater to secure Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinal against the Philadelphia 76ers.
After leading the Raptors to their only NBA championship in 2019, Leonard departed in free agency to sign a three-year, US$103 million contract with his hometown Clippers. He later re-signed with the Clippers in August 2021 to a four-year, $176.3 million maximum contract, which included a player option for the fourth year. This contract became part of a controversy in September 2025 due to allegations of a $28 million “no-show” endorsement deal with Aspiration, an environmental company that later filed for bankruptcy.
The speculation surrounding Leonard’s potential return to Toronto had been circulating for nearly a week, with initial reports of the Raptors’ interest emerging last Thursday. Social media buzzed with reactions, with fans expressing a range of sentiments about a reunion. Doug Smith of the Star commented that not pursuing the opportunity to bring back Leonard would have been a disservice to both the team’s roster and its fanbase. The deal was agreed upon on Tuesday afternoon.
Source: sportsnet.ca
