The trade that would send Kawhi Leonard from the LA Clippers to the Toronto Raptors is still expected to be completed on its original terms, even though it remains unformalized while the NBA finalized its investigation into alleged cap circumvention. The expectation was published by RealGM — Basketball Wiretap and TalkBasket, citing ESPN's Brian Windhorst, and points to no amendment after the league resolved the matter with a fine and no suspension for the forward.
June agreement still pending
The deal, agreed in June, would send Leonard to Toronto in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks and a pick swap. It was put on hold pending the league's inquiry into the Clippers, and the absence of a playing suspension for the player has removed the main obstacle to execution.
Speaking on ESPN, Windhorst said there is no lawsuit or formal reaction from the Clippers on record and that, after speaking to people around the league, he expects the trade to go through as constructed, stressing that a team's word carries weight in the NBA.
Sporting stakes for both sides
For Toronto, adding Leonard would bring a two-way wing capable of carrying creation and clutch scoring, while the Clippers would gain perimeter scoring from Ingram, young shooting from Dick and future flexibility through the draft compensation.
The final step now depends on administrative formalization once the disciplinary file is fully closed. If confirmed without changes, the move would preserve the balance originally negotiated and allow both rosters to enter preseason with a settled rotation.
