The Toronto Raptors are reportedly on the verge of reacquiring Kawhi Leonard, seven years after he departed for the Los Angeles Clippers in free agency. According to reports, the trade would send Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, two second-round picks, and a pick swap to the Clippers. This move would bring Leonard back to Canada, where he previously played in 2018 after a trade from the San Antonio Spurs.
Leonard’s return to Toronto appears to be contingent on his willingness to sign a contract extension. Reports suggest that Leonard would only agree to an extension with the Raptors, making a trade to Toronto a likely outcome. This potential new deal could allow him to conclude his career with the team.
Leonard’s Impact and Fit with the Raptors
Despite being 35 years old, Leonard is coming off a strong offensive season, having averaged 27.9 points per game for the Clippers in 65 appearances last year. This marked only the second time during his tenure with the Clippers that he played in 60 or more games. His defensive capabilities also remain notable, with an average of 1.9 steals per game. This defensive prowess, combined with Scottie Barnes, is expected to make the Raptors a formidable defensive unit, posing challenges for opposing teams throughout the upcoming season.
While Leonard is a highly skilled player, the Raptors are still seen as Scottie Barnes’ team. Leonard’s veteran presence is anticipated to be beneficial, but the move is primarily viewed as an effort to build around Barnes, particularly during the prime of his career. Leonard is considered an equal to Barnes rather than a superior option, especially given Barnes is 10 years younger and also coming off his best career season. The addition of Leonard is expected to make the Raptors a dangerous team for the next two to three seasons.
The trade involves sending Ingram to the Clippers, a move that was anticipated given the opportunity to acquire Leonard. Ingram had a productive year for the Raptors, but the chance to bring back Leonard was seen as too significant to pass up. A key aspect of the trade negotiations was the Raptors’ refusal to include Collin Murray-Boyles. Murray-Boyles, the No. 9 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, showed potential as a long-term asset for the Raptors, particularly during their playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Building a Contender in the East
Retaining Murray-Boyles as a complementary player alongside Barnes and Leonard is expected to provide the Raptors with a strong foundation to contend in the Eastern Conference for the upcoming season. This strategic move aligns with the team’s objectives for the offseason.
The potential trade has generated considerable discussion, with reports indicating that both teams were focused on finalizing a deal, despite some haggling over draft picks or players like Jamal Shead. The fit of Leonard with the current Raptors roster has been a point of analysis. Last year, the Raptors’ performance in the half-court was reportedly worse with Ingram on the floor. While Ingram has had strong offensive seasons, Leonard is considered to be on a different level within similar offensive constraints.
Leonard’s defensive contributions are still highly valued. Although he may not be the same defender he was during his championship run with the San Antonio Spurs or even his initial stint with Toronto in 2018-19, he remains an elite event generator. He continues to excel at stealing the ball, blocking shots from the wing, and rebounding effectively for a non-center. Last season, he led the league in steal rate among players with similar usage rates and was near the top in defensive rebound rate among non-bigs. These defensive strengths address some of Toronto’s identified weaknesses on that end of the court, making his potential return a significant boost.
The news of the impending trade broke amidst other significant free agency activities across the league. Several other notable moves and intentions to sign deals or opt into options have been reported. These include Jock Landale returning to the Atlanta Hawks, LeBron James entering free agency, the Portland Trail Blazers signing Robert Williams III to an extension, and Kristaps Porzingis returning to the Warriors. The Raptors also opted into Trayce Jackson-Davis’s team option, while Sandro Mamukelashvili declined his player option for the 2026-27 season.
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Source: si.com
