New Kawhi Leonard Rumors on Raptors Contract Extension After Clippers Investigation Punishment

While the NBA announced significant penalties for both the Los Angeles Clippers and Kawhi Leonard on Wednesday, the team reportedly still plans on trading the seven-time All-Star to the Toronto Raptors.

And the Raptors reportedly plan on making sure he is there for the foreseeable future.

"As of right now, both sides—the Clippers and Raptors—are moving forward as if the trade is going to happen," ESPN's Shams Charania reported Thursday during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show . "… Both sides have already spoken Wednesday night and have the intention of moving forward here with this trade.

"... The expectation is there will be an extension here to come with Kawhi Leonard."

Leonard issued a statement after the NBA announced its punishments that ended by saying, "As I return to Toronto, I am focused on what I can control, closing this chapter, and moving forward with a clean slate."

It would be a return to the Raptors for the 35-year-old.

He led the franchise to its only championship during his one previous season in 2018-19 and was the NBA Finals MVP from the win over the Golden State Warriors. He left to join the Clippers after that title, but the two teams agreed to a trade this past offseason that was paused while the investigation was ongoing.

The trade initially sent Leonard to Toronto for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, second-round picks in 2030 and 2033, and rights to a first-round pick swap in 2027.

An extension with Leonard would be a logical next step for the Raptors considering the 2026-27 campaign is set to be the final one on his deal.

Such a trade would also help the Clippers get some draft capital back in return after the NBA stripped them of five first-round draft picks (2029, 2030, 2031, 2032 and 2033) as part of its punishment for "a pattern of misconduct and multiple significant rules violations" that included "violating the salary cap circumvention rules contained in the league's Collective Bargaining Agreement."

Leonard was fined $700,000, while the Clippers were fined $30 million. What's more, Clippers governor Steve Ballmer was suspended for one year from all league and team activities.

Notably, the Clippers issued a statement in response that said they rejected the league's findings and planned on challenging them.