These Kawhi Leonard–Raptors trade rumors seemed to have gained more traction with each passing report.
The latest from NBA insider Jake Fischer suggests things heated up on this front between Toronto and the 2019 Finals MVP. In an X post from Sunday afternoon, Fischer highlighted: "The Raptors and Clippers have held real trade conversations this weekend on sending Kawhi Leonard back to Toronto, according to league sources."
Fischer would add further context in separate X post, writing: "In discussions with the Clippers, sources say Toronto has expressed a preference in dealing Brandon Ingram to Los Angeles, as opposed to RJ Barrett."
Raptors are reportedly trying to keep RJ Barrett out of Kawhi Leonard trade talks
In terms of specific trade package developments and the outlook of Toronto should they welcome a Klaw reunion, that revelation is quite significant here. I'm sure you all know how long and often RJ Barrett has been attached to the Raptors' trade rumor mill, seeing as he's on an expiring contract that is easily movable, and his apparent status as an expendable asset from Toronto's core.
However, Barrett's masterful work in the 2026 playoffs for Toronto definitely added a sense of complication to this simple thought of just trading the 26-year-old Canadian wing. For much of the Raptors' gritty first-round series with Cleveland, it was largely RJ Barrett who showed up as their reliable offensive threat, with the ultimate moment in a dramatic Game 6 overtime buzzer-beater finish.
While some still find justification in moving Barrett, this new intel from the Kawhi Leonard buzz could be viewed as a pivotal moment in the ongoing RJ Barrett offseason debate.
Sure, it didn't explicitly say that he was 'untouchable' in trade discussions, but the fact that Toronto is trying to hold firm suggests there’s some hesitation or motivation to not part ways with RJ Barrett. And that is quite the far cry from even the recent chatter involving Barrett as he's largely been seen as one of Toronto's most dispensable pieces.
On top of that, Kawhi Leonard is definitely up there as one of the Raptors' top player upgrade options this summer (outside of the now-gone LaMelo Ball and possibly Jaylen Brown, who I'll get to in a different piece).
If Toronto is having second thoughts about trading RJ for Kawhi, then perhaps he will indeed become a long-term pillar for the Raptors — giving Barrett's dreams to flourish in his hometown a sense of security.
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