The 2019 Finals MVP is heading back to Toronto.
According to ESPN, the Clippers are nearing a trade that will send Kawhi Leonard to the Raptors in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, 2 first-round picks, one pick swap, and two second-round picks.
Leonard is in the last year of his contract and will be owed $50.3 million for the 2026-27 season. He is eligible to sign a two-year extension worth $123.7 million this offseason.
The trade comes despite the looming NBA ruling on the Clippers’ relationship with the failed environmental startup Aspiration. NBA commissioner Adam Silver indicated at his pre-Finals press conference that the league’s investigation, which has been going on for nine months, will wrap up shortly. Nearly a month later, no announcement has been made, and Leonard is on the move.
If the Clippers are found to have broken the collective bargaining agreement, they could be susceptible to fines and/or a loss of draft picks, with Leonard’s contract also having the potential to be voided. Given the agreement, the trade could potentially indicate that both teams received assurance from the league that the latter would not occur.
