What’s already become one of the most eventful NBA offseasons in recent memory just got even more wild.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Los Angeles Clippers are nearing a deal to trade Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, 2 first-round picks, 1 pick swap and 2 second-round picks.
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The deal sends Leonard back to the team he spent the 2019 season with, when he led them to their first-ever NBA championship in an iconic playoff run.
Leonard began his NBA career with the San Antonio Spurs in 2011, quickly becoming a two-way star and helping them capture an NBA championship in 2014.
After injury woes and off-court drama put his Spurs tenure on ice years later, he joined the Raptors ahead of the 2018-19 season. There, he averaged 26.6 points, 7.3 rebounds per game.
He was even better in that postseason, putting up 30.5 points and 9.1 rebounds per game throughout the Raptors’ 24-game playoff run. He was named Finals MVP, but opted to join the Clippers that offseason.
Leonard’s spent the last seven seasons with the Clippers, maintaining his elite production while battling more injury problems. A torn ACL kept him out of the 2021-22 season entirely, but he appeared in 65 games during the 2025-26 campaign.
He put up a career-high 27.9 points per game this season, but the Clippers finished with a 42-40 record and missed the postseason.
Sources told ESPN that Leonard views this new deal as the perfect chance to return to Toronto, where he hopes to finish out his NBA career.
James Parker is a sports writer for Ball Exclusives, follow him on X @TheJames_Parker
