The Kawhi Leonard trade to Toronto is finally happening. What does the future hold for the Raptors?

Seven years after Kawhi Leonard led the Toronto Raptors to an unprecedented NBA championship, the superstar forward is once again a resident of the North. 

On Monday, less than 24 hours after Clippers governor Steve Ballmer publicly took ownership of the salary cap circumvention scandal involving Leonard and four companies — and less than 24 hours before commissioner Adam Silver is set to publicly speak following the Board of Governors meetings in New York — both teams finalized the terms of the long-awaited blockbuster deal. Toronto is sending Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, a pair of unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, a pick swap in 2027 and two future seconds (2030 and 2033). 

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If that feels like a premium, it’s because it is — but for good reason. While it’s not particularly common that superstars are traded in their mid-to-late 30s (Jimmy Butler, Kevin Durant and Damian Lillard come to mind), the need for a player of Leonard’s ilk, adjacent to Toronto’s status within the Eastern Conference hierarchy, necessitated an aggressive move. From a shot profile standpoint, Leonard’s caliber is hard to come by (2009 Kobe Bryant is the closest you’ll find, which makes sense given the ability and aura). By several metrics (take your pick: fifth in PER, third in DARKO, fifth in VORP, fourth in ESPN’s Net Points WAR), Leonard’s 2025-26 campaign was that of a Tier 1 talent, production augmented by the fact he was available for nearly 70 games. 

Kawhi Leonard is bringing his talents — and off-court baggage — back to Toronto. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash)

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It became more apparent down the stretch in Toronto last season that, while Scottie Barnes is Leonard’s heir apparent (both from a defensive efficiency and offensive growth standpoint), the Raptors would be much better suited for long-term success pairing the former alongside Leonard’s skill set. Ingram wasn’t a hand-in-glove fit for that role, an underlying factor in their first-round elimination at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

But Leonard’s arrival shouldn’t be viewed through the lens of some outside savior. Toronto is…

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Author : Kelly Iko

Publish date : 2026-09-14 23:49:00

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