Kawhi Leonard’s return to Toronto is back on track after one of the biggest punishment stories the NBA has produced in years. The trade that was put on hold is expected to go through within days.
The Clippers agreed in June to send their All-NBA forward to the Raptors for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and significant draft capital. Then the league opened an investigation into benefits allegedly provided to Leonard.
The situation was settled on Wednesday, and the deal is moving again.
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What the Clippers lost in the NBA investigation
The penalties were severe. The Clippers forfeit five first-round picks across the 2029 to 2033 drafts and pay a $30 million fine. Steve Ballmer is suspended from league and team activities for a year, with executives Gillian Zucker and Lawrence Frank also hit with suspensions.
Leonard himself was fined $700,000.
‘The full expectation around the Raptors and around Kawhi Leonard and the league is that this trade will be going through in the next few days,’ ESPN’s Shams Charania said.
The package remains what was agreed in June. Full draft haul for Los Angeles: a 2027 swap, unprotected firsts in 2031 and 2033, plus seconds in 2030 and 2033.
ESPN insider Brian Windhorst believes there was one clear winner in all of it, and it is the player at the centre of the saga.
‘He collected tens of millions of dollars in endorsement deals and was fined $700K in restitution. It’s the greatest investment you could ever make,’ Windhorst said on ESPN’s Get Up. ‘I would advise him not to use the words “integrity” and “respect” anymore.’
Leonard, 35, released a statement accepting responsibility while insisting he knew nothing of any circumvention.
‘Integrity and respect for this game are fundamental to who I am. I accept full responsibility for lapses in judgment by people within my inner circle,’ he said.
‘I entered into my contract with the Clippers as well as the agreements in question in good faith… As I return to Toronto, I am focused on what I can control, closing this chapter, and moving forward with a clean slate.’
The Raptors lose nothing from the wait. What looked like an agonising delay now ends with Leonard back in the city where he won the 2019 title, ready to start again.