Kawhi Leonard’s Blockbuster Return to Raptors Is a Done Deal After Long Delay

The blockbuster Kawhi Leonard trade sat in limbo for months, but it is finally official.

The LA Clippers and Toronto Raptors completed the paperwork, sending Leonard to Toronto. Both sides originally reached an agreement in principle on June 30, but the NBA's investigation into the Clippers put the entire deal on ice.

Shams Charania confirms Kawhi Leonard -Raptors trade is complete

The delay stemmed from a league probe into Leonard's relationship with Aspiration, who igned Leonard to a $28 million endorsement deal while also sponsoring the Clippers. Both teams stated the trade would not close until the NBA finished its investigation, which Commissioner Adam Silver hoped to wrap up before the 2026-27 season.

The investigation ended with historic penalties on Sep. 11. The league found the Clippers improperly funneled off-court income to Leonard through corporate partners like Aspiration, Boingo Wireless, Daktronics and Lockton Insurance.

Leonard avoided a suspension but must pay $700,000 in restitution for improper benefits given to his uncle, Dennis Robertson, who is now banned from the NBA. But Danilo Gallinari said that Kawhi Leonard owes more than $700,000.

With the findings on the books, ESPN's Shams Charania reported the deal was finally done, penning , "Done deal: The LA Clippers and Raptors have both agreed to complete the trade sending Kawhi Leonard to Toronto for Brandon Ingram , Gradey Dick , two unprotected first-round picks, one first-round pick swap and two second-rounders, per ESPN sources. The sides will now schedule a trade call."

Charania later added that Leonard has completed paperwork waiving his 15% trade kicker, worth $7.45 million, to help get the deal across the finish line, and that Toronto is now pressed against the first apron as a result of taking on the money.

The move gives the Raptors a two-time Finals MVP to anchor their roster. Meanwhile, the Clippers reset their future around Ingram, Dick and a fresh stash of draft picks. After a long summer of cap-circumvention rules and league penalties, Leonard is officially back in Toronto.