Kawhi Leonard set to return to Toronto in Clippers-Raptors trade
The deal remains subject to a formal NBA trade call after Leonard waived his US$7.45 million trade kicker.
The Los Angeles Clippers and Toronto Raptors have agreed to complete a trade sending Kawhi Leonard back to Toronto, according to sources cited by ESPN. The deal is yet to be formally processed and will proceed to an NBA trade call.
Leonard waived his US$7.45 million trade kicker to facilitate the move. ESPN reported the bonus would have pushed Toronto above the league’s first apron.
The Clippers are set to receive Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks, one first-round pick swap and two second-round picks.
The teams initially reached the agreement on 30 June, but the deal was paused during the NBA’s investigation into the Clippers over salary-cap circumvention. The league subsequently announced penalties including the loss of five future first-round picks, a US$30 million fine and a year-long suspension for owner Steve Ballmer.
ESPN’s Bobby Marks reported that Toronto is expected to sit US$2.3 million below the first apron with 13 guaranteed contracts after the trade. Leonard led the Raptors to their first NBA championship in 2019 before leaving for the Clippers the following off-season.
