Kawhi Leonard traded to Toronto Raptors in blockbuster deal

sportsJun 30, 202646763

The Los Angeles Clippers traded Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors, sending the 35-year-old forward back to the franchise he helped win the 2019 title. In return the Clippers receive Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, one pick swap and two second-round picks. Reports say Los Angeles declined to offer Leonard an extension and moved him rather than keep him, and Leonard had indicated he wanted to stay with the Clippers. The deal reunites Leonard with Scottie Barnes on a Raptors team that projects to keep cap flexibility if Leonard waives his trade bonus, a move that could let Toronto add minimum-salary veterans while remaining under the first-apron hard cap. The Clippers emerge with multiple high-value draft assets, including rights that reportedly create six tradable firsts and a 2027 pick swap with Oklahoma City. The trade immediately alters both clubs’ timelines, with Toronto shifting to a win-now posture around Leonard and Barnes, and the Clippers positioned to retool with younger pieces and draft capital.

DrawPlayDave

@thedrawplay.com

Kawhi Leonard is so afraid of Pablo Torre he fled the country

12445d ago

SethDrakin1

No, he loves Toronto so much

Keerthika Uthayakumar

@keerthikau.bsky.social

Kawhi Leonard is joining: - the 5th-best defence in the NBA, 2nd-best clutch defence - the 2nd-youngest rotation in the 2026 playoffs (weighed by minutes, top-8) - a top-10 halfcourt offence (99.4) - a team that went from 26th to 15th in offensive rating with Ingram

7845d ago

The Athletic

@theathletic.com

The Clippers receive a bevy of assets, including All-Star Brandon Ingram, in exchange for Kawhi Leonard. The Raptors, in return, reunite with the best player on their lone championship team — and pair him with Scottie Barnes. More on the deal: t.co/zfYKENB4rl

4645d ago

Nathan York4

I feel like there was a massive scandal tied to this player that should've probably resolved before the draft and this trade were allowed.

Len "Commissar of Chaos" Combs2

Toronto is not a player away from anything, I'd like it better if it was 2018 Kawahi but he is 35 years old now for those 5 picks.

Dan2

Wow… what on earth are the Raptors doing?!?! Beyond stupid. 🤦‍♂️

Tonguesout1

Lone championship team. 😂 wtf.

Obearwan_Kenobi1

Wtf is Toronto doing? This is so bad.

Quoting this

Zena Keita7

Scottie Barnes earned this in the playoffs.

Shams Charania Tweets

@shamsbot.bsky.social

Just in on NBA Today -- the Toronto Raptors land Kawhi Leonard in a trade back from the Los Angeles Clippers:

4145d ago

Quoting this

BAS•TÁR•DIZER8

CLIPPERS STILL BETTER GET FINED

Brenda3

Glad he's going somewhere he wanted 🙏

ɪᴄᴏɴ2

The claw back to Toronto? Wowwwwww

Velodus✨

@velodus.bsky.social

How funny would it be if the Raptors win a title by exchanging an inferior all-star small forward for Kawhi Leonard a *second* time

3845d ago

KeithSmithNBA

@keithsmithnba.bsky.social

Keep an eye on Kawhi Leonard's trade bonus for the Raptors. If he waives the bonus, Toronto should have room to fill out the roster with veteran minimums while staying under what will now be a first-apron hard cap. This likely closes the door on Sandro Mamukelashvili returning.

3145d ago

Rhonda Wolfson1

I'm kinda shocked he wants to come back here (we all thought he couldn't wait to hightail it out of the #TrueNorth).

bosgardentroll.bsky.social1

How much is Uncle Dennis bonus ?

sylvia

@sylvibullet.bsky.social

Kawhi Leonard is a Toronto Raptor again, you should text your ex

3045d ago

Tao of Stieb

@taoofstieb.bsky.social

Important Kawhi trade questions: 1) Which company is providing the no-show endorsement deal? 2) Do the Raptors retain any GloRilla rights?

3845d ago

Janne Niini-Mel1

1 - It’s gotta be Therme, right?

TSN

@tsnofficial.bsky.social

KAWHI LEONARD IS BACK. How far will the new-look Toronto Raptors go next season? 🔥

3145d ago

Eric Koreen

@ekoreen.bsky.social

The Kawhi Leonard trade is a lot of things. More than anything, though, it is deeply, deeply funny. My column, free to read.

2645d ago

JM =^)

@jm539581.bsky.social

2018: Toronto Raptors lose playoff series to Cleveland. Trade for Kawhi 2026: Toronto Raptors lose playoff series to Cleveland. Trade for Kawhi

1945d ago

Justin Russo

@flybyknite.bsky.social

🚨BREAKING: Kawhi Leonard has been traded to Toronto, ending a 7-year marriage with the LA Clippers. In return, the Clippers received two players and hefty draft-pick compensation that now gives them six tradable 1sts. 🔗 justinrusso.substack.com/p/breaking-c...

1445d ago

Richard A1

What’s the exchange rate on American to Canadian suspensions? Asking for a tree.

Quoting this

Justin Russo10

Did I fire this off via hot spot after exiting the freeway in Long Beach? Hard to say, really.

Justin Russo9

Article has been updated with the accurate full pick details. Original article had attributed the wrong information. Apologies.

J.E. Skeets

@jeskeets.bsky.social

Shams says the Clippers are nearing a deal to send Kawhi Leonard to the Raptors that could look like this 👀

1945d ago

Brian Kelly2

What are the carbon offsets?

Aurelian1

2 first round picks is more than I was hoping but screw it let’s do this !

Ryan Bernardoni

@dangercart.bsky.social

I’m not going to grade this trade for the Raptors until I see what they have to give up for Paul George

1945d ago

Josh Lewenberg

@jlewenberg.bsky.social

This changes the risk level for the Raptors to HIGH. Leonard will be 40 and 42 in 2031 and 2033. So, likely retired. They'll have to maximize these next few years with Kawhi and figure out a way to remain competitive post-Kawhi or those picks could be juicy. Raps are going for it

845d ago

3 sources

usatoday.comClippers trade Kawhi Leonard back to Raptors in franchise-shifting deal nytimes.comBREAKING: Kawhi Leonard nearing return to Raptors sportingnews.comKawhi Leonard trade grades: Who won between Raptors and Clippers in deal that sends star back to Toronto | Sporting News

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Kawhi Leonard traded to Toronto Raptors in blockbuster deal

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