The 2026 NBA offseason is in full swing, and teams have already made shocking, blockbuster moves. Giannis Antetokounmpo is headed to the Miami Heat, and LaMelo Ball will wear a Minnesota Timberwolves jersey next season. Which star player is next on the trade block? It might just be Kawhi Leonard.
Kawhi Leonard Could Return to the Toronto Raptors This Summer
Leonard just had a career-best scoring season with the Los Angeles Clippers in 2025-26. He averaged 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.9 steals per game. Despite his strong campaign, the team swapped James Harden for Darius Garland and drafted Keaton Wagler with the No. 5 pick last week.
These two moves hinted that Los Angeles was heading toward a rebuild with younger players, suggesting Leonard could be on his way out.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst gave the latest update on Leonard’s situation on ‘Get Up‘ on June 30. It certainly looks like a Clippers-Toronto Raptors trade could materialize sooner rather than later.
“This trade could happen today. I think the Clippers and the Raptors have agreed on player compensation. I think it will be Brandon Ingram … Despite [Leonard] coming off a brilliant season, the Clippers … are not willing to offer Kawhi Leonard an extension right now of any sort,” said Windhorst.
“This trade could happen today. … Despite him coming off a brilliant season, the Clippers … are not willing to offer Kawhi Leonard an extension right now of any sort.”
—@WindhorstESPN on the Raptors-Clippers trade talks for Kawhi Leonard 👀 pic.twitter.com/GIvhyC7mIV
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) June 30, 2026
In contrast to the Clippers, the Raptors have expressed interest in signing Leonard to a contract extension. As a result, the seven-time All-Star has a lot of incentive to return to his former squad. Leonard and Scottie Barnes would form arguably the best wing defensive duo in the league.
The Raptors need more shot creation and a go-to bucket getter in crunch time. The two-time champion provides exactly that.
Ingram and Leonard may headline this trade package, but there would likely be more draft assets and/or young players heading to Los Angeles. Ingram is heading into his second season on a three-year, $120.0 million contract extension.
He will make $40.0 million in 2026-27 and $41.9 million in 2027-28 if he accepts his player option. Toronto acquired Ingram in 2025, but when a player like Leonard becomes available, the franchise’s plans may change.
Leonard will make $50.3 million next season on the final year of his deal. Therefore, the Raptors need to make up about $10.3 million in salary to complete this deal.
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Gradey Dick’s role diminished severely last season after a promising first two campaigns. At 22 years old, he fits the Clippers’ recent trend of acquiring younger players. He will make $7.1 million next season, meaning Toronto would only have to find about $3.0 million to match Leonard’s salary.
The Raptors jumped into the playoff picture last season as the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference. If they reunite with Leonard, they vault into contender status for the 2026-27 campaign.
