The Toronto Raptors finally have the Kawhi Leonard trade across the finish line.
After more than two months of waiting, the deal between Toronto and the Los Angeles Clippers is official, with the Raptors sending Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and draft compensation to Los Angeles for Leonard. ESPN insider Shams Charania was first to report the news. The sides had been waiting on the conclusion of the investigation into the Clippers’ salary cap circumvention before moving ahead.
For the Raptors, that long delay had left the offseason in limbo. Now the front office gets the relief it was waiting for, and Leonard is cleared to report to Quebec City for training camp at the end of the month.
The full package, per ESPN sources, includes Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks, one first-round pick swap and two second-rounders going to Toronto. The trade had been in the hopper for over two months before the official word finally arrived.
Toronto had been operating as if the move would eventually go through, but until now there was no formal approval. That changes everything for a team that has spent the summer built around this transaction.
With Leonard in the fold, the Raptors suddenly move into the title conversation in the Eastern Conference alongside the New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers and Detroit Pistons.
The article frames the East as a crowded race at the top: the Pistons and Celtics were the top two teams last season, the Knicks are coming off an NBA championship, and the 76ers are described as perhaps the league’s most improved team after trading for Jaylen Brown and signing LeBron James in free agency. Toronto is now part of that group.
There is still some roster housekeeping left to do. The Raptors currently have 13 contracts on the roster and will need to add a 14th player to meet NBA rules.
Among the options mentioned are Andre Jackson Jr., Malachi Smith and rookie center Nate Bittle. Toronto could also turn to one of its two-way players - Chucky Hepburn, Trey Jemisin III or Jaden Bradley, the second-round pick from Arizona.
The front office may also continue scanning the free-agent market. Bruce Brown, who played in Toronto from 2024 to 2025, is cited as a possible fit if the Raptors decide to bring in another name.
For now, though, the bigger story is simple: a drawn-out chapter is finally closed, and Toronto can turn its attention to the regular season with real momentum behind it.
In Other News...
Kawhi Leonard Delay Is Creating A Raptors Problem At The Worst Time
The NBA has finished its investigation into the Clippers and Kawhi Leonard, but the paperwork on the move to Toronto still has not been completed, leaving the Raptors in an awkward holding pattern as they head toward Media Day and training camp. Leonard has already been practicing with Raptors players, which only adds to the oddness of the situation, since he remains officially a Clipper until the deal is finalized.
For Toronto, the timing could hardly be worse. If the trade is still unresolved when camp opens, Leonard would have to report to Clippers camp instead of joining the Raptors in full, creating a problem for a team trying to build chemistry and set its tone for the season. [Read more 🡒]