Kawhi Leonard has been traded back to the Toronto Raptors. The blockbuster deal came together relatively quickly after rumors first emerged of a potential trade between the Raptors and the Los Angeles Clippers.
In the immediate aftermath, all anyone could talk about was what a special story it was for Leonard to return to Toronto, the franchise he helped lead to its first NBA championship in 2019. As the dust has settled, analysts have had a chance to dive into the darker details of the potentially league-altering move.
Raptors Insider Raises Concern Over Kawhi Leonard Trade
The full details of Leonard’s trade to the Raptors have been unveiled. In exchange for trading the 35-year-old two-time NBA champion, the Clippers are receiving Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, and a haul of draft picks. The draft compensation is where the devil is in the details.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Clippers are getting fully unprotected first-round picks from Toronto in 2031 and 2033. LA is also getting Toronto’s second-round picks in 2030 and 2033 and the rights to a first-round pick swap in the 2027 NBA Draft.
Add it all up, and TSN Raptors beat reporter Josh Lewenberg views the deal as a major “risk” for the Raptors.
“That changes the risk level for the Raptors to HIGH,” Lewenberg tweeted Tuesday. “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.”
That 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 https://t.co/vTsVmqtwrJ
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) June 30, 2026
While Raptors fans are justified in being excited to add a seven-time All-NBA player to their squad, there certainly is risk. Sure, there’s well-founded hope Leonard will stick around for longer than one season this time. But he’s still only on the books for one year at a salary of $50.3 million.
MORE: Grade the Kawhi Leonard Trade: Who Won the Blockbuster Deal Between the Raptors and Clippers?
The Raptors could also get a drastically reduced return on their investment. Last time, Leonard was able to lead them to a title in their lone season together.
This time around, he’s reportedly looking to retire in Toronto, but after previously bringing the Larry O’Brien Trophy home, Leonard will once again arrive with expectations that soar higher than the CN Tower.
The only issue is that the Scottie Barnes-led Raptors finished just fifth in the Eastern Conference this past season. There’s no guarantee this group is poised to compete for another championship, but you can bet the vibes in Toronto will be as positive as ever.
