In a blockbuster move, the Raptors have reunited with their 2019 NBA Finals MVP, Kawhi Leonard. The NBA is crazy.
BREAKING: The Los Angeles Clippers are nearing deal sending Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, 2 first-round picks, 1 pick swap and 2 second-rounders, sources tell ESPN. A return to Canada for the Raptors champion and two-time Finals MVP. pic.twitter.com/VovqGw5qS6
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2026
The Raptors clearly feel as though their successful season was no fluke. They are looking to build this roster to compete as early as next season. This move will certainly achieve that.
Kawhi Leonard will always be associated with risk. He is one of the most injury-prone superstars in recent memory. He has played in 70 games just twice in his 14-year career. Yet Raptors fans know better than most what type of player a healthy Kawhi Leonard can be: the best player on a championship team.
Similar to trading for Leonard in 2018, he is in the final year of his contract with no guarantee he will sign an extension. Toronto also gave up Brandon Ingram, a player who was instrumental in the Raptors’ success this season.
Brandon Ingram was great, but Kawhi Leonard was even better
Ingram became the 10th Raptor to be named to the All-Star Game and was the leading scorer on the team during the regular season.
As good of a season as Ingram had in Toronto, Leonard’s past season was on another level. He averaged 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists. His defense is not quite the same as it was 10 years ago, but he is still a very good defender. Leonard was named to the All-NBA Second Team for his stellar year.
The success of the Toronto Raptors is now based on playoff results. If Toronto gets through the regular season healthy, then it has a great shot at making a deep postseason run with this talented roster. Time will tell what happens, but the Raptors have clearly decided they are ready to take another major swing.
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