NBA Approves Kawhi Leonard Return to Toronto Raptors
The league cleared a blockbuster trade sending the seven-time All-Star back to Toronto following a salary-cap circumvention investigation.
The NBA has officially approved a trade sending Kawhi Leonard from the Los Angeles Clippers back to the Toronto Raptors, according to Sportsnet.
In exchange for the 35-year-old forward, the Raptors are sending Los Angeles All-star forward Brandon Ingram, guard Gradey Dick, two second-round picks, a 2027 first-round pick swap, and unprotected first-round selections in 2031 and 2033. Raptors general manager and executive vice-president Bobby Webster stated the team believes Leonard's talent and leadership will assist in their pursuit of another championship.
The transaction was delayed pending an NBA investigation into salary-cap circumvention involving Leonard and the Clippers. The investigation focused on claims that Leonard entered a $28 million "no-show" endorsement agreement with Aspiration, an environmental firm that filed for bankruptcy in March 2025 following fraud charges against co-founder Joe Sanberg.
On Sept. 2, the NBA concluded the investigation, fining Leonard US$700,000. The league imposed harsher penalties on the Clippers, including a $30 million fine and the forfeiture of five first-round picks from 2029 through 2033. Furthermore, president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank was suspended for six months, while Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and president of business operations Gillian Zucker were both suspended for one year.
Leonard, who led Toronto to a title in 2019, averaged 27.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.9 steals per game during the 2025-26 season. He joins a Raptors squad that ranked fifth in defensive rating last year. Leonard is scheduled to address the media on Sept. 28.