Done deal: NBA greenlights Kawhi Leonard’s blockbuster return to Toronto Raptors
The forward leaves the Clippers and heads to Toronto, where he won the title in 2019
The NBA gives the green light to the bombshell of the summer: Kawhi Leonard will return to the Toronto Raptors after the Clippers and the Raptors finally agreed to complete the trade that had been left up in the air, as first reported exclusively by Shams Charania of ESPN . Both teams are now expected to formally finalize the deal, which they had initially agreed on last June 30.
The deal was stalled for weeks by the NBA's investigation into the Clippers for a possible violation of the salary cap rules. The League ultimately imposed a historic punishment on the Los Angeles franchise: five first-round draft picks, a $30 million fine and a one-year suspension for Steve Ballmer, the team's owner.
Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick, to the Clippers
With the transfer now unlocked, the Clippers will receive Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick , as well as two unprotected first-round picks, a first-round pick swap, and two second-round picks. A massive deal that completely transforms the immediate future of both franchises.
Leonard thus returns to the city where he became a legend. In 2019 he led the Raptors to the first championship in their history , before leaving Toronto that same summer for Los Angeles. Seven years later, the circle closes with an unexpected return and one of the NBA's biggest moves.
