Raptors Refuse Kawhi Leonard Trade, Leaving Brandon Ingram and Another Star Waiting

Kawhi Leonard’s return to Toronto looks increasingly doubtful. In late June, the Raptors agreed to a deal with the LA Clippers to acquire Leonard in exchange for Clippers forward Brandon Ingram, Raptors guard Gradey Dick, and several draft picks. But the transaction was put on hold in early July due to an ongoing NBA investigation into Leonard’s alleged illegal sponsorship arrangement.

While Clippers owner Steve Ballmer is at the center of the controversy, the Toronto Raptors would inherit the risks if they moved forward with the trade. According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, the Raptors are now hesitant to proceed.

"This was the Toronto Raptors being given a choice of, 'Are you willing to assume the risks of something happening with Kawhi Leonard after the investigation is completed?' They are not willing to assume those risks," Shelburne reported on NBA Today.

She added that if the investigation drags on without resolution, “there’s nobody from the NBA who could say with 100% certainty that there won’t be fallout for Kawhi Leonard. In that case, it’s up to the Raptors.”

"I can see a world in which Kawhi Leonard is back on the Clippers if this trade doesn't go through, and the Clippers, quite frankly, are fine with that," Shelburne stated.

The league is probing whether Ballmer gave Leonard an allegedly illegal $28 million endorsement deal through his green banking company, potentially circumventing salary cap rules.

If proven, penalties could include fines, suspensions, or voided contracts. The investigation has already stretched 10 months and could continue into 2027, far longer than typical NBA probes.

Former NBA Star Urges Toronto Raptors Out of Deal With Clippers

Former NBA player Kendrick Perkins urged Toronto to walk away from the deal. On NBA Today, he said, “If I’m the Toronto Raptors, I’m finding a way to get out of this deal. I don’t even want to think about Kawhi Leonard in our uniform.”

Perkins then advised the Raptors to immediately call Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick to tell them that the trade is no longer happening.

Toronto should make this decision as soon as possible so they can still ease out the tension before training camp starts.