Los Angeles Clippers finally give up on Kawhi Leonard, send former Finals MVP back to Toronto Raptors

The Kawhi Leonard epoch is implicit successful Los Angeles.

According to NBA insider Shams Charania, the Clippers are finalizing a blockbuster commercialized that volition nonstop the two-time Finals MVP backmost to the Toronto Raptors, closing the publication connected an epoch defined by lofty expectations and constricted postseason success.

The Raptors volition portion with guardant Brandon Ingram, defender Gradey Dick, 2 aboriginal first-round picks, a first-round prime swap and 2 second-round picks.

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Los Angeles Clippers guardant Kawhi Leonard controls the shot during the 2nd fractional of an NBA crippled against the Detroit Pistons successful Inglewood, Calif., connected Dec. 28, 2025. (William Liang/AP Photo)

LA Clippers guardant Kawhi Leonard warms up earlier crippled 3 of the archetypal circular of the 2024 NBA playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks astatine the American Airlines Center successful Dallas, Texas, connected Apr. 26, 2024. (Jerome Miron/USA TODAY Sports)

The woody represents a large plaything for Toronto and a reset for Los Angeles. Leonard returns to the state wherever helium led the Raptors to the 2019 NBA championship, portion the Clippers determination connected from an epoch that ne'er produced an NBA Finals quality contempt proprietor Steve Ballmer's monolithic concern successful the franchise.

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When the Clippers acquired Leonard successful 2019, they were expected to go rubric contenders. Instead, the adjacent 7 seasons were defined by injuries and postseason frustration.

The Clippers won conscionable 3 playoff bid during Leonard's tenure. Chronic genu injuries and repeated playoff absences prevented the franchise from reaching its potential, culminating successful Tuesday's immense trade.

Los Angeles Clippers guardant Kawhi Leonard looks toward the scoreboard during the 2nd fractional of an NBA hoops crippled successful Inglewood, Calif., connected May 1, 2025. (Mark J. Terrill/AP Photo)

The gamble shows Toronto is looking to drawback lightning successful a vessel for a 2nd time.

Leonard remains nether declaration done 2027 and is acceptable to gain much than $50 cardinal adjacent season. According to reports, helium besides hopes to motion a two-year, $126.1 cardinal hold that would let him to decorativeness his vocation successful Canada.

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At the precise least, pairing Leonard with the ascending Scottie Barnes makes the Raptors 1 of the Eastern Conference's astir intriguing contenders.

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