Sources Say Raptors Are on the Verge of Landing Kawhi

Updated July 1, 2026 8 min read

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Sources Say Raptors Are on the Verge of Landing Kawhi Leonard in Blockbuster Clippers Trade

TL;DR: The Toronto Raptors are finalizing a blockbuster deal to bring Kawhi Leonard back to Toronto, multiple sources confirmed on June 30, 2026. The Los Angeles Clippers are set to receive Brandon Ingram and significant draft compensation in return. The trade marks a dramatic homecoming for the 2019 NBA Finals MVP, who delivered Toronto its first championship before departing for Los Angeles in free agency.

The Toronto Raptors are on the verge of landing Kawhi Leonard in a major trade with the Los Angeles Clippers, according to multiple league sources. The deal, first reported by ESPN, sends the two-time Finals MVP back to the city where he cemented his legacy with a championship run in 2019. Los Angeles is expected to receive Brandon Ingram and valuable draft capital as part of the package.

Quick Answer

The Los Angeles Clippers are nearing a deal to trade Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors, sources told ESPN and the Associated Press. The Clippers will acquire Brandon Ingram and multiple draft picks in exchange for Leonard. This blockbuster trade brings Leonard back to Toronto, where he won the NBA title in 2019 before signing with the Clippers in free agency. The deal reshapes the Eastern Conference landscape heading into the 2026-27 NBA season.

Key Takeaways

Kawhi Leonard is returning to the Toronto Raptors in a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Clippers are receiving Brandon Ingram and significant draft compensation in the deal.
Leonard won the 2019 NBA Championship with Toronto before departing in free agency.
Multiple credible outlets — ESPN, The New York Times, and the Associated Press — confirmed the trade.
The deal reshapes Eastern Conference contention for the 2026-27 NBA season.

What We Know About the Kawhi Leonard Trade

Who Is Trading Kawhi Leonard?

The Los Angeles Clippers are the team sending Kawhi Leonard to Toronto. ESPN first reported that the Clippers were nearing a deal, with the New York Times confirming that an agreement had been reached. According to the Associated Press, the trade returns Leonard to the franchise where he played perhaps the best basketball of his career during the 2018-19 season.

For the Clippers, the move signals a significant roster pivot. After years of trying to build a championship contender around Leonard and Paul George, Los Angeles is now shifting toward future assets and a retooled roster. Brandon Ingram, a former All-Star, headlines the return package along with multiple draft picks that give the Clippers flexibility to rebuild or retool.

What Are the Clippers Getting in Return?

According to the Dallas Hoops Journal and other reporting outlets, the Clippers are set to land Brandon Ingram and multiple draft picks. Ingram, an All-Star selection and smooth offensive wing, gives Los Angeles a capable scorer to anchor the next phase of the franchise. The draft capital adds long-term flexibility for a franchise that has historically been aggressive in pursuing star talent through trades and free agency.

Why Kawhi Leonard’s Return to Toronto Matters

The Legacy Kawhi Built in Toronto

Kawhi Leonard’s time in Toronto was brief but historic. After arriving in a trade from the San Antonio Spurs in 2018, Leonard delivered one of the most iconic playoff runs in NBA history. His buzzer-beating four-point shot against the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2019 Eastern Conference Semifinals remains one of the most replayed moments in league history. He then led the Raptors to their first NBA Championship, defeating the Golden State Warriors in six games and earning Finals MVP honors.

Despite that extraordinary run, Leonard chose to leave Toronto in free agency that summer, signing with the Clippers. His departure was seen as inevitable given his desire to play in Los Angeles, but the sting never fully faded for the Raptors’ fanbase. Now, nearly seven years later, Leonard is heading back north of the border.

What This Means for the Raptors

For Toronto, the trade represents a franchise-altering acquisition. The Raptors have been in a rebuilding phase since their championship core dispersed, but adding a player of Leonard’s caliber — even at this stage of his career — instantly elevates the team’s ceiling in the Eastern Conference. The Raptors are betting that Leonard, now 34, still has elite-level production left in the tank and can serve as the centerpiece of a competitive roster.

The cost of acquiring Leonard through Brandon Ingram and draft picks is notable. Ingram is a talented player, but the Raptors clearly view Leonard as the superior asset in a win-now scenario. If Leonard remains healthy, the Raptors could jump into serious playoff contention immediately.

How Does This Trade Affect the NBA Landscape?

Eastern Conference Implications

The addition of Kawhi Leonard to the Raptors’ roster immediately shifts the balance of power in the Eastern Conference. Teams like the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, and Milwaukee Bucks have been the class of the conference in recent seasons. Toronto now enters that conversation as a legitimate threat, assuming Leonard can stay on the court. The Raptors’ combination of Leonard’s two-way dominance and their existing young talent creates a roster that opposing teams cannot afford to overlook.

For more context on how blockbuster trades reshape conference dynamics, see our analysis of NBA trade deadline moves and their impact on championship odds.

Western Conference Fallout

The Clippers, meanwhile, enter a transitional period. Without Leonard, Los Angeles loses a player who was supposed to be the franchise’s cornerstone for a decade. Instead, the Clippers now pivot to a new identity built around Ingram and a war chest of draft picks. The Western Conference, already loaded with contenders like the Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, and Minnesota Timberwolves, loses one of its potential playoff threats.

What Are the Odds of Kawhi Leonard Staying Healthy?

Leonard’s Injury History

The biggest variable in this trade is Leonard’s health. Since joining the Clippers in 2019, Leonard has dealt with recurring knee issues, including a torn ACL in 2021 and subsequent setbacks that have limited his availability. He has missed significant time in multiple seasons, and the question of whether he can sustain a full playoff run has loomed over every Clippers campaign.

According to available reporting, Leonard has been working to manage his health carefully in recent seasons. The Raptors are taking a calculated risk that Leonard’s conditioning and load management will allow him to contribute meaningfully. If he stays healthy, this trade is a massive win for Toronto. If not, the loss of Ingram and draft picks could set the franchise back.

What Is the Full Trade Package?

According to multiple sources reporting on June 30, 2026, the trade details include:

Team	Receiving	Details
Toronto Raptors	Kawhi Leonard	Two-time NBA champion and Finals MVP
Los Angeles Clippers	Brandon Ingram + Draft Picks	Former All-Star wing and multiple future selections

The full breakdown of the draft capital involved is still emerging as the deal is finalized. Reporters from ESPN, The New York Times, and the Associated Press continue to add details as the trade moves toward completion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Kawhi Leonard being traded to the Raptors?

The Los Angeles Clippers are trading Kawhi Leonard to the Raptors as part of a roster rebuild. After years of postseason disappointment in Los Angeles, the Clippers are moving Leonard to acquire Brandon Ingram and valuable draft picks that provide long-term flexibility. Leonard’s desire to return to a familiar environment in Toronto reportedly played a role in the trade discussions.

What did the Raptors give up for Kawhi Leonard?

The Raptors are sending Brandon Ingram and multiple draft picks to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Kawhi Leonard. Ingram is a former All-Star who averaged over 20 points per game during his peak seasons. The draft compensation gives the Clippers future assets to build around.

Did Kawhi Leonard win a championship with Toronto?

Yes. Kawhi Leonard led the Toronto Raptors to their first and only NBA Championship in 2019. He was named Finals MVP after defeating the Golden State Warriors in six games. His iconic buzzer-beater against Philadelphia in the second round remains one of the greatest shots in playoff history.

When was Kawhi Leonard last on the Raptors?

Kawhi Leonard played one season with the Toronto Raptors during the 2018-19 campaign. After winning the championship, he departed in free agency to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers in July 2019. His return in 2026 marks the first time he has been a member of the Raptors since that championship season.

Is this trade official or still being finalized?

As of June 30, 2026, multiple sources — including ESPN, the Associated Press, and the New York Times — have confirmed that the Clippers and Raptors have agreed to the trade. The deal is in the process of being finalized and officially announced by both franchises.

How old is Kawhi Leonard?

Kawhi Leonard was born on June 29, 1991, making him 35 years old as of this trade. Despite his age and injury history, Leonard remains one of the most talented two-way players in the NBA when healthy. The Raptors are banking on his ability to perform at an elite level for at least the next two to three seasons.

Conclusion

The Toronto Raptors are on the verge of landing Kawhi Leonard from the Los Angeles Clippers in a blockbuster trade that sends Brandon Ingram and draft compensation to LA. According to ESPN, the New York Times, and the Associated Press, the deal brings Leonard back to the city where he delivered a championship in 2019. The trade reshapes the Eastern Conference picture for the 2026-27 NBA season and signals a major pivot for the Clippers franchise. If Leonard stays healthy, this could be one of the most impactful trades in recent NBA history — a homecoming that gives Toronto a legitimate shot at returning to championship contention.

The Bottom Line

The Kawhi Leonard trade to the Toronto Raptors is a headline-defining move that alters the trajectory of two franchises. Toronto gets back the player who delivered its greatest basketball moment. Los Angeles gets a talented replacement in Brandon Ingram and the draft capital needed to chart a new course. Sources say Raptors are on the verge of landing Kawhi, and if the deal goes through as reported, the NBA’s competitive landscape shifts dramatically heading into next season.