The Kawhi Leonard trade that sent shockwaves through the league is suddenly back on track.
After weeks of uncertainty, the Los Angeles Clippers and Toronto Raptors now appear poised to complete the deal that would send Leonard back to Canada. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that “The full expectation around the Raptors and around Kawhi Leonard and the league is that this trade will be going through in the next few days.”
The move was first agreed to at the end of June, when the Clippers decided to send All-NBA forward Kawhi Leonard to Toronto in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, a 2027 first-round pick swap and two second-round picks. As Charania wrote, “The LA Clippers have agreed to trade All-NBA forward Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, a 2027 first-round pick swap and two second-round picks, sources told ESPN on Tuesday. The deal marks a return to Canada for the star who led the Raptors to an NBA title in 2019.”
That agreement was then thrown into limbo after it was revealed that the organization had allegedly provided Leonard with additional benefits. The situation was settled Wednesday, and the expectation now is that the trade will finally be completed.
For Toronto, it’s been a frustrating stretch of waiting after what initially looked like a major reunion. The uncertainty around the circumstances of the deal left the Raptors unsure whether the move would actually get across the finish line.
The Clippers, meanwhile, are still set to receive the draft haul they originally negotiated. NBA reporter Evan Sidery wrote that “The Raptors are still sending draft capital to the Clippers alongside Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick in their trade for Kawhi Leonard, per Shams Charania. Full trade haul for Los Angeles, who now must covet these picks: 2027 swap. 2031 + 2033 unprotected 1sts. 2030 + 2033 2nds,”
Now that the issue appears to be resolved, Leonard is expected to head back to Toronto, while the Clippers move on after the controversy that temporarily stalled the deal.
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