The Los Angeles Clippers are involved in serious discussions about a trade that would send Kawhi Leonard back to the Toronto Raptors, ESPN reported Monday.
Leonard’s representatives have made it known that if the Clippers wanted to move on from Leonard that he would sign a contract extension with the Raptors, per the report.
Before signing as a free agent with the Clippers, Leonard spent one season in Toronto — 2018-19 — and led the Raptors to their only NBA title.
A native of the Los Angeles area, Leonard’s preference was to stay with the Clippers but they haven’t committed to him beyond this upcoming season, ESPN reported. He has one season left on his current contract and is due $50.3 million.
Leonard turned 35 on Monday.
If the trade goes through, Leonard would be eligible to sign a two-year extension with the Raptors worth as much as $123.7 million, according to ESPN.
Leonard is a two-time NBA champion, winning his first title in 2013-14 with the San Antonio Spurs in this third season in the league. He won the NBA Finals MVP award in both championship seasons.
The Spurs traded him to the Raptors in July 2018 in a deal that sent DeMar DeRozan to San Antonio.
Leonard’s time in Los Angeles hasn’t been clear sailing.
He has been saddled with injuries, missing the entire 2021-22 season and playing only 37 games in 2024-25 and 52 in both 2020-21 and 2022-23. He made 65 starts in 2025-26 and led the Clippers in scoring (27.9) and steals (1.9).
The NBA also is investigating whether the Clippers went around the salary cap by paying him through an endorsement with Aspiration, a banking company, instead of through proper payroll channels.
Leonard is a seven-time All-Star and twice was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
The Clippers finished the season at 42-40 and were eliminated in the play-in round by the Golden State Warriors. The Raptors were 46-36 and lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs in seven games.
–Field Level Media
