The Toronto Raptors have officially re-acquired Kawhi Leonard from the Los Angeles Clippers following NBA trade approval
Toronto traded Brandon Ingram Gradey Dick three first-round pick assets and two second-round picks to Los Angeles
The deal was finalized after an NBA investigation into salary-cap circumvention resulted in fines and executive suspensions for the Clippers
The Toronto Raptors have officially acquired Kawhi Leonard from the Los Angeles Clippers following trade approval from the NBA on September 14, 2026. The transaction brings the 2019 NBA champion back to Toronto after a months-long league investigation into salary-cap circumvention delayed the deal.
To acquire Leonard, the Raptors sent All-Star forward Brandon Ingram, guard Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, a 2027 first-round pick swap, and two second-round picks to Los Angeles. The trade was cleared following the conclusion of an NBA inquiry on September 2, which fined Leonard $700,000 USD while levying a $30 million USD fine, a five-pick draft penalty, and executive suspensions against the Clippers organization.
Leonard returns to Toronto after a 2025-26 campaign with the Clippers where he averaged 27.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.9 steals per game. The seven-time All-Star and two-time NBA champion joins a Raptors squad that finished fifth in defensive rating last season, bolstering the franchise’s defensive core and championship aspirations.
Kawhi Leonard is expected to speak with reporters on September 28, 2026, during Toronto’s official media day.
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For over half a decade, Joyce Li has served as an Editor on Hypebeast’s global team, leveraging profound industry insights to capture the zeitgeist. Through her editorial lens, she anticipates emerging trends while dedicating her platform to spotlighting those making the greatest impact on culture today. A storyteller first and foremost, she examines the cross-pollination of fashion, footwear, art, music, and sports. This intersectional approach has led to compelling interviews with industry-defining figures like LeBron James, Pharrell Williams, Tom Brady, NIGO, A$AP Rocky, KAWS, and more.
