Kawhi Leonard is slated to return to the Raptors to begin his 15th season. The last time he wore a Raptors jersey, he hoised the NBA Finals MVP trophy after leading Toronto to the franchise’s first and only title back in 2019.
After a seven-year hiatus, he’s on the verge of a return to Canada as the Clippers and the Raptors are nearing a deal that sends Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, a pick swap and two second-rounders to Los Angeles for Leonard, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Toronto will send L.A. an absolute haul for a 35-year-old player with just one year left on his contract. However, Leonard is coming off a career year where he averaged 27.9 points per game and he’s expected to engage with the Raptors on a two-year extension to keep him with the franchise through the 2028–29 season according to NBA insider Chris Haynes.
