Kawhi Leonard Returns to Raptors in Trade

The Los Angeles Clippers and Toronto Raptors finalized a trade sending seven-time All-Star Kawhi Leonard back to Toronto, where he led the franchise to its first NBA championship and won his second Finals MVP in 2019. Toronto sent Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, a 2027 first-round pick swap and second-round picks in 2030 and 2033 to Los Angeles. The deal had been delayed since June 30 while the NBA investigated alleged salary-cap circumvention involving Leonard, Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and others; the league fined the Clippers $30 million, stripped them of five future first-round picks and suspended Ballmer for one year, while fining Leonard $700,000 and barring his uncle Dennis Robertson from NBA-related business for five years. Leonard accepted responsibility for lapses in judgment within his inner circle and reportedly waived a $7.45 million trade kicker to complete the move. Toronto views Leonard’s championship experience, scoring and defense as valuable additions to a young core led by Scottie Barnes, although his age, injury history and potential contract extension are concerns; he is expected to return to Los Angeles on Nov. 2, though his availability remains uncertain. The Clippers begin a new era led in part by Ingram while recovering players and draft assets after losing substantial future capital, amid uncertainty over the roster and the franchise’s relationship with its fan base.