The Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers still plan to complete the blockbuster trade that would send Kawhi Leonard back to Toronto, despite an ongoing NBA investigation that could extend into 2027. The league is examining allegations that the Clippers circumvented salary-cap rules to compensate Leonard, a probe that has placed the significant offseason transaction on hold.
According to ESPN’s Baxter Holmes, both franchises remain committed to the deal. The investigation centers on a four-year, $28 million endorsement agreement Leonard received from Aspiration, a company that previously held a major sponsorship deal with the Clippers. Los Angeles owner Steve Ballmer has acknowledged introducing Leonard to Aspiration but denied arranging or having knowledge of the endorsement agreement. Both the Clippers and Leonard have consistently denied any wrongdoing.
The NBA is working to determine if the endorsement was legitimate or an improper method of funneling additional funds to Leonard outside his official contract. The investigation could continue into next year if the league, the Clippers, Leonard, and the National Basketball Players Association do not reach an agreement on the findings or any potential punishment. The union is reportedly prepared to pursue arbitration if it believes the NBA attempts to discipline Leonard without sufficient evidence, a process that could prolong an investigation that has already complicated the trade.
The trade, reportedly agreed upon on June 30, would see Leonard return to the Raptors, the team he led to the 2019 championship. In return, the Clippers would receive a package including Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, and multiple draft picks. The transaction was paused after the NBA informed Toronto that it would assume the risk of any discipline affecting Leonard once the trade became official.
Potential league discipline could range from fines and lost draft picks to suspensions for team personnel or even the voiding of Leonard's contract. The precise impact of any penalty on a completed trade remains unclear, contributing to Toronto's reluctance to finalize the deal before the league concludes its investigation. However, it has not diminished the Raptors' desire to reunite with the star player.
Raptors team president Masai Ujiri expressed confidence in Leonard's mindset shortly after the trade agreement, stating, "He is determined and seems in the right frame of mind. You will be hearing from him shortly. I think there is a fire inside of him and we are all excited about that."
Leonard, 35, is coming off a career-best scoring season, averaging 27.9 points across 65 appearances. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has expressed hope that the investigation would conclude before the upcoming regular season, though no formal deadline has been set. The Raptors and Clippers are proceeding with their plans while awaiting a resolution they cannot control, with Leonard's return to Toronto appearing to be the expected outcome, contingent on the timeline of the NBA's ongoing probe.