The trade sending Kawhi Leonard from the Los Angeles Clippers to the Toronto Raptors has been finalized after a delay of more than two months, the teams confirmed Monday, with Kawhi Leonard waiving a $7.45 million trade kicker to help the deal clear cap space constraints.
The teams initially agreed on June 30, but the trade was paused while the NBA investigated whether cap rules were violated in signing Leonard as a free agent. The investigation concluded earlier this month with severe punishments for the Clippers, including the loss of five future first-round picks, a $30 million fine and a yearlong suspension of owner Steve Ballmer.
Both teams agreed again to the original terms Monday before calling the trade into the league office. Waiving the trade bonus was necessary because including it would have pushed Toronto above the first apron of the salary cap. After the deal, the Raptors will be $2.3 million below the first apron with 13 guaranteed contracts.
The trade terms
Los Angeles receives Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks, one first-round pick swap and two second-round picks.
The Leonard history with Toronto
He led the Raptors to their first NBA championship in 2019 before leaving for the Clippers as a free agent the following offseason, and returns now for his second stint with the franchise.
The investigation and punishment
The NBA‘s punishment came after a nearly yearlong probe by Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen and Katz, which found a pattern of misconduct and multiple significant rules violations, describing the organization as a prior offender of salary cap circumvention rules.
Owner Steve Ballmer said after the punishments were announced that he accepts them and has sincere regrets. A federal criminal investigation was also opened into the organization’s financial dealings with Leonard, as reported by The New York Times.
What comes next
Toronto visits the Clippers on Nov. 2. The Raptors host the Clippers on Jan. 1. The teams are also scheduled to meet in Vancouver in a preseason game on Oct. 10.
With the trade now official, the rebuild in Los Angeles begins in earnest under the constraints of having lost five first-round picks in punishment while also beginning again without Leonard on the roster. The return of Ingram and Dick gives Los Angeles young talent to build around.
