Kawhi Leonard Heading Back To Toronto Raptors In Blockbuster Clippers Trade: Report

Published 1 July 2026 · india

Kawhi Leonard Heading Back To Toronto Raptors In Blockbuster Clippers Trade: Report Published By, Last Updated: July 01, 2026, 06:28 IST Leonard is reportedly returning

Kawhi Leonard Heading Back To Toronto Raptors In Blockbuster Clippers Trade: Report Published By, Last Updated: July 01, 2026, 06:28 IST Leonard is reportedly returning to Toronto after the Clippers agreed to trade the two-time Finals MVP in a blockbuster deal involving Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and draft picks. Rapid Read Kawhi Leonard (AFP) Six years after delivering the greatest season in Toronto Raptors history, Kawhi Leonard is heading back to where he became a legend. The Los Angeles Clippers have reportedly agreed to trade the two-time NBA Finals MVP to the Raptors in one of the biggest moves of the offseason, bringing an end to Leonard’s si year stint in Los Angeles. According to multiple reports, Toronto will send Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two future first-round picks, two second-round selections and a 2027 first-round pick swap to the Clippers in return.

The trade cannot be officially completed until July 6 unless Toronto creates additional salary-cap flexibility. Raptors Reunite With Their Championship Hero Leonard’s return marks a remarkable full-circle moment. Acquired by Toronto from the San Antonio Spurs in 2018, Leonard spent just one season north of the border. It proved unforgettable. He averaged 26.6 points and 7.3 rebounds, led the Raptors to their first NBA championship in franchise history and captured his second Finals MVP after defeating the Golden State Warriors in the 2019 NBA Finals. He left that summer in free agency to join the Clippers, where expectations were sky-high but a championship never materialised. Now, at 35, Leonard returns to a Raptors team looking to re-establish itself among the Eastern Conference contenders. Toronto finished 46-36 last season before bowing out in the first round of the playoffs, and reports suggest the franchise intends to begin negotiations on a two-year contract extension worth up to $123.7 million.

Clippers Move On After Injury-Plagued Partnership Leonard’s departure comes despite arguably his finest individual campaign in Los Angeles. The si time All-Star averaged a career-best 27.9 points while appearing in 65 regular-season games—his healthiest season in years—and earned All-NBA Second Team honours after finishing seventh in MVP voting. Yet the Clippers managed only a 42-40 record and were eliminated in the Play-In Tournament, prompting a dramatic shift in direction. Earlier this offseason, Leonard’s representatives reportedly made it clear that he preferred to remain with the Clippers. However, with no long-term extension forthcoming and just one year remaining on his $50.3 million contract, both sides opted for a fresh start. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Siddarth Sriram After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas.