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NBA has a problem with the Kawhi Leonard trade to Toronto Raptors

Marley Dickinson
Marley Dickinson
|
Jul 9 2026, 8:25 pm
NBA has a problem with the Kawhi Leonard trade to Toronto Raptors
Dan Hamilton/Imagn Images

Kawhi Leonard might not be back in Toronto after all.

The Toronto Raptors issued a statement on Thursday detailing that their planned trade with the Los Angeles Clippers will not go through until the ongoing NBA investigation is completed surrounding the Clippers franchise and Leonard.

The league is currently investigating the Clippers to determine whether the team used a third-party company to secretly pay Leonard outside the salary cap when they acquired him in free agency back in 2019.

ESPN’s Pablo Torre reported in September 2025 that Aspiration, a now-bankrupt green banking company that Clippers owner Steve Ballmer invested in, allegedly provided the two-time NBA Finals MVP with a $28-million “no-show” endorsement deal that was off the books.

It is illegal under the NBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement for any player to receive compensation or any financial arrangement outside their official contract.

On June 30, Toronto sent Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks (2031 and 2033), and two second-round picks (2030 and 2033) to the Clippers in exchange for the 35-year-old small forward.

According to NBA insider Shams Charania, the two teams were set to have a trade call to finalize the deal this week. The league intervened and said that unless the Raptors assume the risk of potential outcomes, the trade would not be completed at this time.

Commissioner Adam Silver said in a press conference during last month’s NBA Finals that the investigation surrounding the Clippers and Leonard could wrap up soon.

The Raptors said in a statement that they will not take on the associated risks and wait until the league’s investigation is complete before moving forward.

“We remain eager to bring Kawhi back to Toronto and look forward to a swift resolution for our players, our organization, and our fans,” the team said in a statement.

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