It took some time, but the Toronto Raptors finally got their man, and he’s a familiar face.
The Raptors have acquired Kawhi Leonard from the LA Clippers in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round draft picks, a first-round pick swap, and two second-round draft picks.
The deal, originally agreed upon in June, was delayed because the NBA investigated the Clippers for circumventing the salary cap.
Ultimately, the league resolved the issue after determining that the Clippers organization violated the terms of the CBA.
Leonard, who won a championship with the Raptors in 2019, came to Los Angeles to deliver a title. However, injuries and other factors prevented the Clippers from reaching that goal.
In seven seasons with the Clippers, the 35-year-old Leonard averaged 25.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.7 steals, while appearing in only 331 games.
Last season, Leonard, who made his seventh All-Star Game in 2026, averaged a career-high 27.9 points along with 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.9 steals per game.
The Raptors are better with Leonard, but can the two-time Finals MVP stay healthy? History suggests otherwise, but Toronto hopes history will be wrong.
Toronto will have to compete in a loaded Eastern Conference, featuring the NBA champion New York Knicks and the new-look 76ers, who added LeBron James and Jaylen Brown. However, I’m not sure Leonard’s addition is enough to propel the Raptors past those teams.
The Clippers get younger while acquiring much-needed draft capital.
Ingram, 29, averaged 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 33.8 minutes in 77 games (all starts) last season with Toronto. The 10-year veteran has appeared in 572 games (533 starts) with the Lakers, Pelicans and Raptors, holding career averages of 19.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 33.1 minutes.
Dick, 22, averaged 6.0 points, 1.9 rebounds and 14.0 minutes in 76 games with Toronto last season.
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