KAWHI Leonard is officially headed back to Toronto.
The Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers finalized their long-delayed trade Monday (Tuesday/PH time), ending months of uncertainty surrounding a deal that was originally agreed to in June but put on hold during the NBA’s investigation into the Clippers.
The trade sends Leonard back to the Raptors, the team he led to its first NBA championship in 2019, while Toronto sends Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks, one first-round pick swap and two second-round selections to Los Angeles.
Leonard also waived his $7.45 million trade kicker, helping Toronto complete the transaction while remaining below the NBA’s first-apron threshold.
The original deal was agreed to on June 30, but the NBA paused the transaction while investigating whether the Clippers violated salary-cap rules in their dealings involving Leonard.
The investigation resulted in severe penalties for Los Angeles, including a $30 million fine, the forfeiture of five future first-round picks and a one-year suspension for owner Steve Ballmer. Leonard was also fined $700,000.
The Clippers initially rejected the league’s findings, but Ballmer later said the organization would accept the punishment and move forward.
With the investigation now settled, the trade can finally be completed.
Leonard returns to Toronto after his unforgettable 2018-19 campaign, when he led the Raptors to their first championship and earned Finals MVP honors before leaving for the Clippers in free agency.
For Toronto, the reunion brings back the star who delivered the biggest championship moment in franchise history.
For Los Angeles, the deal provides Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and a significant collection of future draft assets as the Clippers reshape their roster following the league’s punishment.
The trade also closes one of the NBA’s strangest offseason sagas, with an agreement reached months ago finally becoming official after the league investigation forced both teams to wait.
Kawhi Leonard is once again a Toronto Raptor. (Jesus Nathaniel Valdez)
