The Los Angeles Clippers and Toronto Raptors have held serious trade discussions centered around a potential Kawhi Leonard return to Toronto, according to Jake Fischer. The talks come as Leonard’s future in Los Angeles remains uncertain with the veteran forward entering the final season of his contract.
“The Raptors and Clippers have held real trade conversations this weekend on sending Kawhi Leonard back to Toronto,” Fischer reported on Sunday, June 28. He added that Toronto has expressed a preference for sending Brandon Ingram to Los Angeles rather than RJ Barrett as part of a possible package.
Leonard, 34, remains one of the NBA’s most productive two-way players. In 65 games during the 2025-26 season, he averaged 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists while shooting 50.5% from the field, 38.7% from three-point range and 89.2% from the free-throw line. He earned All-Star and All-NBA Second Team honors while finishing seventh in MVP voting and 10th in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
However, the Clippers finished the season 42-40 and entered the postseason as the Western Conference’s No. 9 seed. Despite Leonard’s individual production, Los Angeles remained outside the group of true contenders, finishing 22 games behind the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder.
Leonard’s contract situation has pushed the Clippers toward a major decision. He is entering the final year of a three-year, $149.5 million deal and is owed more than $50 million in 2026-27. Reports have indicated Los Angeles could explore a trade if the two sides cannot agree on an extension before the season begins.
Toronto’s interest would represent a reunion with the franchise where Leonard delivered the first championship in team history. Leonard led the Raptors to the 2019 title after averaging 30.5 points per game during the postseason, including his iconic Game 7 shot against the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Raptors would likely need to reshape their roster to complete a deal. Ingram, 28, is entering the second season of a three-year, $120 million contract with a player option in the final year. He averaged 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 77 games last season while shooting 47.7% from the field and 38.2% from three.
Barrett, 26, is also under contract through next season after signing a four-year, $107 million extension. He averaged 19.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 57 games, shooting 49.1% from the field and 33.9% from three.
Toronto finished the 2025-26 season 46-36 and earned the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference before falling to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a seven-game first-round series. The Raptors’ roster already features a young core led by Scottie Barnes, who averaged 18.1 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists while finishing fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting.
