Kawhi Leonard Trade Grades: Clippers Get ‘A+’ for Franchise-Altering Pivot as Raptors Take Major Risk
The Los Angeles Clippers have agreed to trade Kawhi Leonard back to the Toronto Raptors, according to ESPN. The deal sends Leonard, who won the 2019 championship and Finals MVP with the Raptors, back to the team that drafted him in 2011. This move marks a significant shift in the NBA landscape, with the Raptors reuniting with their former star and the Clippers parting ways with one of the league’s top players.
The return package for the Clippers includes Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, a pick swap in 2027, and two second-rounders in 2030 and 2033, per ESPN. The Leonard era in Los Angeles was marked by some of the highest highs in franchise history, including a Western Conference Finals appearance in 2021. However, the team’s inability to reach the Finals with Leonard on the roster, coupled with ongoing issues related to his contract and potential salary cap circumvention, made this trade inevitable.
The NBA is currently investigating whether the Clippers circumvented the salary cap through a sponsorship agreement between Leonard and Aspiration, which would direct more money to Leonard. The investigation, which began last offseason, has not yet produced any findings. The Clippers have maintained their innocence, but the controversy surrounding Leonard’s contract has likely played a role in the team’s decision to trade him.
Kawhi Leonard’s return to the Raptors comes at a critical juncture for the team, which has rebuilt its roster since his departure in 2019. The Raptors have a talented young core, led by Scottie Barnes, who made his second All-Star appearance last season. Barnes has developed into a true leader and has the potential to carry the Raptors to the playoffs.
The Raptors’ defense, which ranked fifth in the league last season, is expected to receive a significant boost with Leonard’s addition. The team has a strong frontcourt, featuring Barnes, Leonard, and Collin Murray-Boyles, and has the versatility to switch screens and defend at multiple levels. With Leonard’s half-court brilliance and Barnes’s ability to create for himself and others, the Raptors have the potential to be one of the top offenses in the league.
The trade raises questions about the Raptors’ ability to stay healthy, particularly with Leonard’s age and injury history. The team’s medical staff, led by Vice President of Player Health and Performance Alex McKechnie, has a reputation for excellence, but Leonard’s upcoming contract extension and potential long-term impact on the team’s cap situation make this a risk worth taking.
From a compensation perspective, the Raptors’ package of picks and players is a reasonable price to pay for Leonard’s services. However, the value of the picks in 2031 and 2033 is uncertain, as the lottery reform adopted by the NBA in 2027 will not be in effect by then. The Raptors will need to be patient and hope that their picks convey in the upper end of the first round.
The Clippers, meanwhile, are parting ways with one of the league’s top players and will need to rebuild their roster around a new core. The team’s decision to trade Leonard and James Harden at the deadline suggests a desire to launch a youth movement, but the loss of these two stars will be felt for years to come.
Overall, the Kawhi Leonard trade grades are a resounding ‘A+’ for the Clippers, who have made a franchise-altering pivot by parting ways with one of the league’s top players. The Raptors, meanwhile, have taken a major risk by reuniting with their former star, but the potential rewards are significant.
