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The Toronto Raptors are poised to land one of the NBA’s most decorated two-way players after the league completed a lengthy investigation into salary cap violations involving Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers. The NBA announced Wednesday that it had concluded its probe, handing out historic punishments to the Clippers organization while clearing the path for a long-delayed trade between Toronto and Los Angeles.
Historic Penalties for the Clippers
The NBA stripped the Clippers of five first-round draft picks and fined the franchise US$30 million for multiple salary cap circumvention violations. Leonard himself received a $700,000 fine. The league also suspended owner Steve Ballmer and team president of business operations Gillian Zucker for one year each, while president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank earned a six-month ban.
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The penalties represent the harshest punishment in NBA history. The Clippers will forfeit a first-round pick in five consecutive drafts beginning in 2029, meaning Los Angeles will not make its own first-round selection until 2032.
The damage extends well beyond the current punishment. When the Clippers signed Leonard as a free agent in 2019, he demanded the team also acquire forward Paul George. To complete that deal, Los Angeles sent Hamilton, Ontario native Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, five first-round picks, and two pick-swap rights to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Gilgeous-Alexander has since become a two-time NBA MVP and the centerpiece of Oklahoma City’s 2025 championship team. Combined with the new penalties, the Clippers will go 13 years without access to their own first-round pick.
Leonard Embraces Toronto Ahead of Official Return
Toronto announced on July 9 that it had paused the proposed trade pending the NBA’s investigation. During that waiting period, Leonard made his presence felt around the city. He attended matches at the National Bank Open and sat front-row at the news conference where Kyle Lowry announced his retirement as a Raptor.
The scene marked a contrast to Leonard’s first stint in Toronto during the 2018-19 season, when he kept largely to himself and stayed focused on basketball. His visible engagement with the city this summer signaled a different dynamic heading into his return.
What the Trade Means for Toronto’s Roster
Once the NBA formally approves the deal, Leonard will join a Raptors roster that already includes All-Star Scottie Barnes, Canadian swingman RJ Barrett, promising rookie Collin Murray-Boyles, point guard Immanuel Quickley, and young rotation players Jamal Shead and Ja’Kobe Walter.
Toronto ranked fifth in the NBA last season in both adjusted and unadjusted defensive ratings. Leonard’s arrival could push that unit even higher. A two-time Defensive Player of the Year and seven-time NBA All-Defensive Team selection, Leonard replaces Brandon Ingram in the starting lineup — swapping one of the team’s weakest defenders for one of the best in the league.
The Kawhi Leonard trade also carries significant salary cap implications for Toronto. Barrett, who grew up in nearby Mississauga, Ontario, is entering the final year of his current deal at $29.6 million for the 2026-27 season. The Raptors had previously maxed out their payroll, making it difficult to re-sign the 26-year-old beyond that contract year.
Salary Structure Opens Door for Barrett’s Future
By sending Ingram’s $40 million contract and Gradey Dick’s expiring $7.1 million deal to Los Angeles, Toronto takes on Leonard’s $50.3 million salary for the coming season. Leonard’s contract expires at the end of 2026-27, which frees up the cap space the Raptors need to pursue a long-term extension with Barrett for the 2027-28 season and beyond.
The trade restructures Toronto’s financial outlook while simultaneously upgrading the team’s on-court talent. For a franchise that has been building patiently, the addition of a proven championship-level defender and scorer could accelerate that timeline considerably.
