After months of investigation, the NBA came down hard on the Los Angeles Clippers for their role in circumventing the salary cap with Kawhi Leonard.
Clippers owner Steve Ballmer was given a one-year suspension, and the franchise was fined an incredible $30 million while forfeiting five first-round draft picks.
That has left many wondering just where the Clippers, the Raptors, and the NBA stand on a deal that was supposed to send Leonard back to Toronto.
Shams Charania Reveals Latest on Kawhi Leonard Trade Talks Between Clippers, Raptors
Leonard was also fined $700,000 but has no suspension and is therefore likely sought after by the Raptors (and several other teams). In fact, per ESPN Insider Shams Charania, the two sides discussed the deal on Wednesday evening.
“The trade as of right now, both sides, the Clippers and the Raptors, they’re moving forward as if the trade is going to happen,” Charania said on the “Pat McAfee Show” on Thursday. There’s sequencing that has to occur, but the trade call is next, lining that up with the NBA. Both sides have already spoken on Wednesday, and they both have the intention of moving forward with this trade.”
“The Clippers and Raptors have already spoken and they have the intention of moving forward with this trade..
The expectation is that Kawhi Leonard will be getting an extension in Toronto”@ShamsCharania #PMSLive https://t.co/FMklYcFpeJ pic.twitter.com/gGE5Qjrkqe
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 3, 2026
Although some have speculated that the Clippers may want to back out of the deal and compete with Leonard on the roster, since attempting to tank would do no good with so many first-round picks forfeited, Charania believes the Raptors still want to go through with the deal.
“Kawhi Leonard to Toronto, and Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, two second-round picks and one pick swap would go to the Clippers.”
In this scenario, the Clippers would get Ingram, a proven veteran scorer, and Dick, a young player who many believe could eventually become a sharpshooter as valuable as any in today’s NBA. Plus, they get four picks and a swap, which they will need more than ever.
Of course, the Raptors exceeded expectations last season, going 46-36 and finishing fifth in the Eastern Conference.
That’s why they believe adding Leonard to a core of Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley can make them a contender in the East next season.
Leonard, who has earned a reputation as being injury-prone lately, played in 65 games last season. He averaged 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.9 steals in 32.1 minutes per game. He shot 50.5% from the field, 38.7% from three, and 89.2% from the free-throw line.
It was an outstanding season for Leonard that flew under the radar, largely because the Clippers finished ninth in the Western Conference and lost their first play-in game to the Golden State Warriors.
It also sounds like the Raptors don’t just want Leonard for one season again – they’d like him to stick around. McAfee finished his interview with Charania by asking if the Raptors planned to extend Leonard.
“The expectation is there will be an extension here to come with Kawhi Leonard as well,” Charania answered.
It sounds like we could still see the trade completed soon, and Leonard returning to Toronto is certainly going to add a lot of intrigue to the Eastern Conference this season.
