Archive · 15 Sep 2026
Kawhi Leonard Returns to Raptors After Historic Clippers Penalties
The Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers finished a trade involving star player Kawhi Leonard.
Leonard is going back to Toronto, where he helped the Raptors win their only championship in 2019.
The trade took longer than planned because the NBA was investigating the Clippers.
The league said the Clippers had helped create outside business opportunities connected to Leonard.
Leonard was fined $700,000, but he can keep playing and keep his contract.
The Clippers received a $30 million fine and lost several future draft picks.
Some Clippers executives and Leonard’s uncle also received suspensions or bans.
The Clippers will now use Brandon Ingram and other players to shape their team.
Toronto and Los Angeles completed the Kawhi Leonard trade after a two-month delay caused by an NBA investigation.
Toronto received Leonard, while the Clippers acquired Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, draft picks and a 2027 pick swap.
The NBA fined the Clippers $30 million, the largest team fine in league history, and imposed additional penalties.
Leonard was fined $700,000 but was neither suspended nor stripped of his contract.
The Clippers plan to build around Ingram, Darius Garland and rookie Keaton Wagler under coach Tyronn Lue.
- Who
- Kawhi Leonard, the Toronto Raptors, the Los Angeles Clippers, Brandon Ingram and the NBA were central to the transaction and investigation.
- What
- The Raptors and Clippers completed a trade sending Kawhi Leonard to Toronto and Brandon Ingram and other assets to Los Angeles.
- When
- The trade was first agreed on June 30 and completed after the NBA published its findings on September 2.
- Where
- The trade involved the Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers.
- Why
- The transaction was delayed while the NBA investigated alleged salary-cap circumvention involving Leonard and the Clippers.
- Trade centerpiece
- Kawhi Leonard returned to the Toronto Raptors.
- Toronto's return
- Leonard, the 2019 Finals MVP who helped Toronto win its only championship.
- Los Angeles' return
- Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, a 2027 first-round pick swap, and second-round selections in 2030 and 2033.
- Clippers fine
- $30 million, the largest team fine in NBA history.
- Leonard fine
- $700,000; he was not suspended and did not lose his contract.
- Lost Clippers picks
- First-round picks in 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032 and 2033.
- Executive penalties
- Steve Ballmer and Gillian Zucker were suspended for one year; Lawrence Frank was suspended without pay for six months.