Report: The Clippers and Raptors are engaged in significant discussions regarding a trade for Kawhi Leonard
The Los Angeles Clippers are engaged in significant discussions regarding a trade that would return Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors, as reported by ESPN on Monday.
Leonard’s representatives have indicated that should the Clippers decide to part ways with Leonard, he would be willing to sign a contract extension with the Raptors, according to the report.
Prior to joining the Clippers as a free agent, Leonard played one season with the Raptors in 2018-19, where he guided the team to their sole NBA championship.
A native of the Los Angeles area, Leonard preferred to remain with the Clippers; however, they have not made a commitment to him beyond the upcoming season, according to ESPN. He has one season remaining on his current contract and is set to receive $50.3 million.
Leonard celebrated his 35th birthday on Monday.
If the trade is finalized, Leonard would have the opportunity to sign a two-year extension with the Raptors valued at up to $123.7 million, as reported by ESPN.
Leonard is a two-time NBA champion, having secured his first title in the 2013-14 season with the San Antonio Spurs during his third year in the league. He received the NBA Finals MVP award during both championship seasons.
The Spurs traded him to the Raptors in July 2018 as part of a deal that brought DeMar DeRozan to San Antonio.
Leonard’s experience in Los Angeles has not been without its challenges.
He has faced a series of injuries, resulting in him missing the entire 2021-22 season and participating in only 37 games during the 2024-25 season, as well as 52 games in both the 2020-21 and 2022-23 seasons. In the 2025-26 season, he made 65 starts, leading the Clippers in both scoring with an average of 27.9 points and in steals with 1.9 per game.
The NBA is currently looking into whether the Clippers circumvented the salary cap by compensating him via an endorsement deal with Aspiration, a banking company, rather than through the appropriate payroll channels.
Leonard has achieved the distinction of being a seven-time All-Star and has twice earned the title of NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
The Clippers concluded the season with a record of 42-40 and faced elimination in the play-in round against the Golden State Warriors. The Raptors finished the season with a record of 46-36 and faced the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs, where they were eliminated in a tightly contested seven-game series.
