Kawhi Leonard’s name has been circling the rumor mill for days, but the latest reporting suggests this is more than casual chatter. The Los Angeles Clippers and Toronto Raptors are “seriously engaged” in trade discussions, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania, with Toronto emerging as the one destination Leonard has interest in joining.
Charania reported that the two sides have been working on a possible deal over the past couple of weeks, after Leonard’s representatives let other teams know he would only be willing to sign an extension with the Raptors if the Clippers were not going to keep him. Leonard had wanted to remain in Los Angeles, but the Clippers did not give him a long-term commitment this offseason. He has only the 2026-27 season left on his contract, and it pays $50.3 million.
The Stein Line also said during the weekend that the Clippers and Raptors had been talking, and that the focus was on what Toronto would send back. On Sunday, those conversations were still going, with the Clippers looking to get more if they are moving on from their “Face of the Franchise.” Toronto, meanwhile, is pushing to shape the framework around scoring forward Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick, along with draft capital, rather than Canadian-born swingman RJ Barrett.
Leonard is in the final year of his deal and wants a long-term contract, but the Clippers do not appear eager to make that kind of commitment. Toronto is the one place where Leonard is open to signing an extension.
There’s also obvious history here. Leonard helped the Raptors win their only championship in 2019 after being traded from the San Antonio Spurs, giving this possible reunion a familiar feel.
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