Raptors to Reacquire Leonard
The Toronto Raptors are reportedly set to bring back Kawhi Leonard in a trade deal with the Los Angeles Clippers. This move would reunite Leonard with the team he led to an NBA championship in 2019. According to reports, the Raptors will sign Leonard to a two-year maximum extension upon the finalization of the deal.
As a player with over 10 seasons of experience, Leonard is eligible for 35 percent of the projected salary cap in 2027-28. This would translate to a new contract worth $60.6 million in 2026-27 and $65.5 million in 2028-29, totalling $126.1 million in new money.
The reported trade package from the Raptors to the Clippers includes Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round draft picks in 2031 and 2033, a pick swap in 2027, and two second-round picks. These future first-round picks carry a potential risk for the Raptors, as they would be conveyed when Leonard, who is 35 years old, is likely retired and Scottie Barnes is nearing the end of his prime.
Leonard’s Impact and Injury History
Leonard is a highly decorated player, having been named an All-Star seven times and an All-NBA selection seven times. He is also a two-time NBA champion, with his first title coming in 2014 with San Antonio. He is widely regarded as one of the league’s top defensive players.
During the 2019 championship run with the Raptors, Leonard was a pivotal figure, notably hitting a buzzer-beating shot to win Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinal against the Philadelphia 76ers. After that championship, he signed a three-year, US$103 million contract with his hometown Clippers as a free agent.
Leonard later re-signed with the Clippers in August 2021 to a four-year, $176.3 million contract, which included a player option for the fourth year. However, he missed the entire 2021-22 season due to a partial ACL tear in his right knee. His tenure with the Clippers has been marked by injury concerns, as he has never played more than 74 games in a single season and missed the entire 2021-22 campaign.
Last season, in 2025-26, Leonard averaged 27.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.9 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game for Los Angeles. The Raptors, coming off a season where they pushed the Cleveland Cavaliers to seven games in the first round of the playoffs, appear to be on the cusp of being competitive.
Raptors’ Roster and Future Outlook
Leonard would join a Raptors roster that includes Scottie Barnes, Canadian swingman RJ Barrett, rookie Collin Murray-Boyles, point guard Immanuel Quickley, and young rotation players Jamal Shead and Ja’Kobe Walter. Many of the Raptors’ key players, such as Barnes, Murray-Boyles, and Barrett, are in their early to mid-twenties.
The reported deal has been described by some as a significant move for the Raptors, potentially transforming the team’s dynamic. While Leonard’s ability to stay on the court has been a concern, his presence is expected to generate considerable interest around the team. The trade is seen by some as a bold move for a team that has been described as competent but lacking excitement.
The contract Leonard signed with the Clippers in August 2021 has been subject to controversy. Allegations emerged in September 2025 that Leonard signed a $28 million endorsement deal with Aspiration, an environmental company that filed for bankruptcy in March 2025 after its co-founder faced fraud charges. This alleged deal reportedly did not require any action from Leonard other than remaining with the Clippers.
The Raptors’ decision to pursue Leonard again, despite his injury history and age, suggests a desire to make a significant impact. The team’s building is consistently full, and the organization is financially strong. The move is anticipated to bring a new level of fascination to the Raptors, regardless of its ultimate on-court success.
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Source: sportsnet.ca
