--- title: "Kawhi Leonard Returns to Toronto: Clippers Trade Forward for Ingram, Dick and Draft Picks After NBA Investigation" description: "Kawhi Leonard is officially moving from the Clippers to the Toronto Raptors in a trade for Ingram, Dick and draft picks. The deal was delayed by an NBA investigation into off-the-books payments." date: 2026-09-14T20:44:01.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/kawhi-leonard-toronto-raptors-trade-en tags: [kawhi-leonard, nba, toronto-raptors, la-clippers, nba-trade, basketball] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # Kawhi Leonard Returns to Toronto: Clippers Trade Forward for Ingram, Dick and Draft Picks After NBA Investigation ![Kawhi Leonard in USA national team jersey, ready for a new chapter after trade to Toronto](https://xab.info/media/2026/09/15/kawai-leonard-toronto-raptors-trade/kawai-leonard-toronto-raptors-trade-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - Kawhi Leonard has been traded from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Toronto Raptors for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and several draft picks - The deal was delayed for several months due to an NBA investigation into possible off-the-books payments under a $28 million sponsorship contract - Leonard returns to Toronto seven years after winning the club's only championship in its history (2018/19) - Last season the forward averaged 27.9 points per game and earned a spot on the NBA All-Second Team The National Basketball Association has wrapped up one of the most talked-about transfer stories of recent years. Star American forward Kawhi Leonard is officially changing his club affiliation and returning to the Toronto Raptors — the team with which he already won a championship ring. This is reported by [Sport RBC.UA](https://sport.rbc.ua/ukr/basketball/grandiozniy-blokbaster-nba-leonard-povertaetsya-1789418378.html), citing ESPN's authoritative insider Shams Charania. ### Deal Details According to Charania, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Toronto Raptors have reached a final agreement on a blockbuster trade involving the 35-year-old forward. As a result of the deal, Leonard moves to the Canadian club, while the Clippers receive Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks, a tradable first-round pick, and two second-round picks. To officially complete the procedure, the sides only need to make a formal call with league officials. ### The Investigation That Delayed the Deal The initial agreement on the trade was reached back in late June, but its formalization was forced to be paused due to an NBA investigation. The league was probing suspicions of possible off-the-books payments to Leonard by the Clippers in circumvention of salary cap restrictions, tied to a $28 million sponsorship contract. After all procedural issues were resolved, the club gave its final consent to the trade, and the deal returned to the final stage of formalization. ### A Return After Seven Years Leonard will begin his 15th season in his professional career and will return to Toronto after seven years. It was with the Canadian franchise in the 2018/19 season that he earned the club's only NBA championship in its history and was named Finals MVP. According to Charania, the basketball player himself considered Toronto one of his priority options for continuing his career: the insider had previously reported that Leonard wanted to land in either Toronto or San Antonio in the event of a trade. ### Form Before the Move Last season with the Clippers, Leonard demonstrated a high level of play. The forward appeared in 65 games, averaging 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. His standout performance allowed the star basketball player to participate in the All-Star Game and earn a spot in the NBA All-Second Team. Thus, Toronto acquires a player in excellent form and ready to compete for the title. ### Contradictory Data Publications from various outlets contain a minor discrepancy in the details. For instance, Sport Express's headline cites "4 draft picks" as the compensation for the Clippers, whereas a more detailed description of the deal (per Sport RBC.UA) lists two unprotected first-round picks, a tradable first-round pick, and two second-round picks — a total of five compensation elements. In addition, Championat had previously reported that Leonard was considering San Antonio as an alternative option, whereas the final version of the deal involves a move exclusively to Toronto. Finally, although both teams reached a "final agreement," formal confirmation from the NBA had not yet been received at the time of publication. ## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification - [A Grand Blockbuster in the NBA: Leonard Returns to Toronto After a Resonant Investigation](https://sport.rbc.ua/ukr/basketball/grandiozniy-blokbaster-nba-leonard-povertaetsya-1789418378.html) - Основной источник. Подтверждает детали сделки, расследование НБА, статистику Леонарда и контекст возвращения в Торонто. - [Kawhi Leonard Wants to End His Career as a Toronto Player — Charania](https://www.championat.com/basketball/news-6527836-kavaj-leonard-hochet-zavershit-kareru-igrokom-toronto-charaniya.html) - Подтверждает намерения Леонарда завершить карьеру в Торонто по словам Чарании. - [Kawhi Leonard Wants to Land in San Antonio or Toronto in the Event of a Trade — Insider](https://www.championat.com/basketball/news-6522378-kavaj-leonard-hochetsya-okazatsya-v-san-antonio-ili-toronto-v-sluchae-obmena-insajder.html) - Подтверждает намерения Леонарда завершить карьеру в Торонто по словам Чарании. - [Clippers Trade Kawhi Leonard to Toronto for Ingram, Dick and 4 Draft Picks](https://www.sport-express.ru/basketball/nba/news/klippers-obmenyali-kavaya-leonarda-v-toronto-na-ingrema-dika-i-4-pika-drafta-2435581/) - Подтверждает сам факт обмена и основных игроков. Упрощенно указывает «4 пика драфта», тогда как детальный разбор дает 5 элементов компенсации. ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: What are the terms of Kawhi Leonard's trade to Toronto? **A:** The Clippers are sending Leonard and receiving in return Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks, a tradable first-round pick, and two second-round picks. ### Q: Why was the deal delayed? **A:** The NBA was conducting an investigation into suspicions of off-the-books payments to Leonard by the Clippers in circumvention of the salary cap via a $28 million sponsorship contract. After the issues were resolved, the deal was resumed. ### Q: When did Leonard last play for Toronto? **A:** Leonard played for the Toronto Raptors in the 2018/19 season, when the team won the NBA championship — the first in its history — and the forward himself was named Finals MVP. Seven years have passed since then. ### Q: How complete is the deal at the time of publication? **A:** Both teams have reached a final agreement, however the formal call with NBA league officials had not yet taken place at the time of publication. Official league confirmation is expected.