The Toronto Raptors have announced that Kawhi Leonard's return to the team will be delayed until the NBA concludes its investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers for alleged salary-cap violations. The trade, agreed upon in principle on June 30, would send Leonard to Toronto in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, and draft picks.
Raptors Statement on Trade Delay
In a statement released Thursday, the Raptors said: 'Regarding our planned trade with the LA Clippers for Kawhi Leonard, the NBA league office informed us that as a result of the ongoing investigation involving the Clippers, we would assume the risk of any potential outcome of the investigation impacting Kawhi. In light of this, we will wait until the league’s investigation is complete. The Raptors remain eager to bring Kawhi back to Toronto and look forward to a swift resolution.'
The investigation centers on allegations that the Clippers funneled money to Leonard through Aspiration, a now-disgraced company founded by Joe Sanberg, who was convicted and sentenced to 14 years in prison. The Clippers have denied any wrongdoing.
Clippers Respond to Allegations
The Clippers released their own statement to ESPN, saying: 'For the past 10 months, our organization has fully cooperated with an NBA investigation, participating in dozens of interviews, providing tens of thousands of documents, and facilitating access to our staff. ... We did not funnel money to Kawhi Leonard through Aspiration. Like many sophisticated investors, financial institutions, and business partners, we were victims of a fraud initiated by Sanberg.'
The Clippers added that they expect the trade to be finalized following the investigation's conclusion. 'We remain confident that, when the facts are evaluated fairly and thoroughly, the NBA will confirm exactly what we have said from the beginning: We have not done what we are accused of doing.'
Impact on Raptors and Leonard
Leonard, who turned 35 last month, was in Toronto this week for Kyle Lowry's retirement announcement. The trade, which originally included Ingram, Dick, and multiple future first- and second-round draft picks, also involved an option allowing the Clippers to swap a first-round pick for Toronto's. Multiple reports indicate the Raptors and Leonard were working on a contract extension adding two more years to his final Clippers deal, potentially worth $125 million US on top of the $50.3 million he is slated to earn in 2026-27.
Leonard has also changed representation, parting ways with his uncle Dennis Robertson and agent Mitch Frankel, now represented by Harrison Gaines of SLASH Sports, known for representing LaMelo and Lonzo Ball, as well as former Raptors Jalen McDaniels and Austin Daye.
The Raptors are taking a cautious approach to avoid any penalties from the NBA investigation. Toronto was originally harmed when Leonard left for Los Angeles in 2019, and the team had no involvement in the alleged cap violations. The delay affects both organizations and fans, with the Raptors eager to bring back the 2019 NBA Finals MVP.
