Kawhi Leonard Traded Back to Raptors After NBA Investigation

The Los Angeles Clippers and Toronto Raptors have finalized a blockbuster trade sending Kawhi Leonard back to Toronto, concluding a months-long saga that followed an NBA investigation into salary cap violations by the Clippers. The deal, which was initially agreed upon in June but paused during the league's probe, was completed on September 14, 2026. Under the terms of the trade, the Raptors acquire Leonard, a two-time NBA Finals MVP, while the Clippers receive forward Brandon Ingram, guard Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round draft picks in 2031 and 2033, a 2027 first-round pick swap, and second-round picks in 2030 and 2033. The transaction was delayed as the NBA investigated allegations that the Clippers provided Leonard with impermissible benefits to circumvent the salary cap during his 2019 free agency. The NBA's investigation, concluded on September 2, 2026, resulted in significant penalties. The Clippers were fined $30 million and forfeited five first-round draft picks from 2029 through 2033.