The Los Angeles Clippers have agreed to send the two-time Finals MVP, Kawhi Leonard back to the franchise that he led to its sole championship in 2019, Yankee Scores reports.
The Raptors are sending Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round selections in 2031 and 2033, second-round picks in 2030 and 2033 and a 2027 first-round pick swap to Los Angeles, per ESPN
BREAKING: The Los Angeles Clippers are nearing deal sending Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, 2 first-round picks, 1 pick swap and 2 second-rounders, sources tell ESPN. A return to Canada for the Raptors champion and two-time Finals MVP. pic.twitter.com/VovqGw5qS6
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2026
It’s a big price for a 35-year-old star, but Toronto evidently thinks the payout is worth it.
This is coming on the heels of the fact that the Clippers were never offering Leonard a long-term extension, even though he is now on an expiring deal that is worth just over $50 million next season.
Toronto, meanwhile, is already looking to lock him up. Leonard is allegedly close to signing a two-year agreement worth $126.1 million with the Raptors, keeping him in the city through the 2028-29 season.
Leonard’s initial stay in Toronto lasted just one season, but it remains one of the most spectacular single-season runs in NBA history.
That regular season he averaged 26.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.8 steals per game, then took it up another notch in the playoffs, averaging 30.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.7 steals in 24 postseason games en route to the title.
He is now joining a youthful Raptors core formed around Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley with rising stars Collin Murray-Boyles, Jamal Shead and Ja’Kobe Walter rounding out the team.
The Raptors finished last season 46-36 as the No. 5 seed in the East and with Leonard back in the fold, expectations in the city have soared overnight.
