“We’re thrilled to welcome Kawhi back to Toronto. His impact on our organization, our city, and our country is undeniable, and he embodies the competitiveness and championship mindset that we value,” Raptors general manager Bobby Webster said in a statement, reported by TSN. “We believe his leadership, experience and talent will help us as we continue building toward our next championship. We also want to thank Brandon and Gradey and appreciate their work ethic, character, and basketball excellence they brought to our team every day.”
The trade was originally reported June 30 but was delayed while the NBA investigated the Clippers for potential salary-cap violations involving Leonard. The league dropped the hammer on the team fining the Clippers $30 million and taking away five first-round picks. Clippers owner Steve Ballmer was suspended for a year, while Leonard was fined $700,000.
The last couple of weeks of delays were due to the Clippers likely trying to find some way to appeal or protest the decision. Apparently, it didn’t work.
Done deal: The LA Clippers and Raptors have both agreed to complete the trade sending Kawhi Leonard to Toronto for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks, one first-round pick swap and two second-rounders, per ESPN sources. The sides will now schedule a… pic.twitter.com/c0lk5xUGJG
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 14, 2026
Leonard accepted some responsibility and is ready to play basketball.
“As I return to Toronto, I am focused on what I can control, closing this chapter, and moving forward with a clean slate,” Leonard said, in a previous statement.
For Toronto fans, the return of Leonard is mostly about what happened the first time around. Namely, the team’s first and only NBA championship in 2019.
Putting Leonard, considered a top 10 player in the league when healthy, on the same team as budding superstar Scottie Barnes and a team that is coming into their own elevates a play-in level team to one that is in the conversation as a legit Eastern Conference threat.
Are they as good on paper as the defending champion New York Knicks or the retooled Philadelphia 76ers? Probably not. But they aren’t far off the pace.