Key Takeaways
- The Los Angeles Clippers have traded Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors, receiving Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two future first‑round picks, two second‑round picks, and a pick swap.
- Leonard is entering the final year of his contract, owed $50 million for the 2024‑25 season.
- The trade ends Leonard’s six‑year stint with the Clippers, a period marked by deep playoff runs but no championship.
- Leonard previously won an NBA title with the Raptors in 2019, earning Finals MVP, and also captured a championship with the San Antonio Spurs in 2014.
- The Clippers remain under an NBA investigation for alleged salary‑cap circumvention related to Leonard’s 2019 signing; the outcome could affect any future contract Leonard signs.
- Ingram (21.5 ppg, 5.6 rpg) and Dick (6.0 ppg, 1.9 rpg) are the primary assets returning to Los Angeles, alongside draft capital intended to accelerate a rebuild.
The Los Angeles Clippers have decided to move on from their marquee forward, Kawhi Leonard, sending him to the Toronto Raptors in a deal first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania. As part of the transaction, the Clippers receive Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two future first‑round picks, two second‑round picks, and a pick swap. Leonard, who will turn 35 during the upcoming season, is still owed $50 million for the final year of his existing contract, making him a costly but still high‑impact piece for any team willing to absorb his salary.
Leonard’s tenure in Toronto is not new; he spent the 2018‑19 season with the Raptors, helping them secure their first-ever NBA championship. That year he averaged 26.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game while earning Finals MVP honors for the second time in his career. Prior to his stint in Toronto, Leonard won a title with the San Antonio Spurs in 2014, establishing himself as one of the league’s premier two‑way players. Over his six seasons with the Clippers, he posted averages of 25.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game, earned four All‑Star selections, and received MVP votes three times—though he never finished higher than fifth in the voting.
The Clippers originally signed Leonard ahead of the 2019‑20 season with the explicit goal of pairing him with another superstar to instantly elevate the franchise into championship contention. Early results were promising: Leonard and Paul George led Los Angeles to deep playoff runs in the team’s first two years together. However, Leonard’s 2021‑22 season was lost to an ACL injury, and although he returned the following year, the Clippers were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs each of the next three seasons. Most recently, despite a career‑high 27.9 points per game and renewed MVP consideration, the Clippers finished 42‑40, forced into the play‑in tournament, and fell to the Golden State Warriors.
Given Leonard’s advancing age and the team’s declining postseason success, the Clippers opted to reset their roster. The trade sends Leonard back to a familiar environment where he last won a title, while bringing in Ingram—a two‑time All‑Star who averaged 21.5 points and 5.6 rebounds last season with the Raptors—and Dick, a promising young wing selected by Toronto in 2023 who contributed six points and 1.9 rebounds per game as a rookie. The draft capital acquired (two future first‑rounders, two second‑rounders, and a pick swap) provides the Clippers with flexibility to rebuild around a younger core or to package in future moves.
The trade does not erase lingering complications. The NBA is currently investigating whether the Clippers circumvented salary‑cap rules when they originally signed Leonard in 2019, specifically allegations that the team provided him $28 million for “no‑show jobs” as part of the deal. If proven, this would constitute a violation allowing Leonard to earn more than his contract stipulated. The investigation remains ongoing, and any new contract Leonard signs—whether an extension with the Raptors or a future free‑agent deal—could be subject to league scrutiny until the matter is resolved.
For Leonard, the move offers a chance to return to a winning culture and a fan base that celebrated his 2019 championship run. He will have the opportunity to pursue another lucrative long‑term deal, though he has also shown willingness to play out his current contract and test free agency. The Raptors, meanwhile, gain a proven championship‑level player who can mentor their young core and immediately bolster their playoff aspirations. The Clippers, now stripped of their biggest star, embark on a rebuilding phase anchored by Ingram, Dick, and the accumulated draft picks, hoping to construct a sustainable contender without the salary‑cap constraints that have hampered recent efforts.