{"id":203162,"date":"2026-07-01T09:52:01","date_gmt":"2026-07-01T13:52:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=203162"},"modified":"2026-07-01T09:53:04","modified_gmt":"2026-07-01T13:53:04","slug":"clippers-fleece-trade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/07\/01\/clippers-fleece-trade\/","title":{"rendered":"Analyzing the Clippers-Raptors Trade That Sent Kawhi Leonard Back to Canada and What Is Next For Both Squads"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/l\/leonaka01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kawhi Leonard<\/a> is headed back North as the Los Angeles Clippers and Toronto Raptors have agreed to a three-player, multi-draft pick trade.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">BREAKING: The Los Angeles Clippers are nearing deal sending Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, 2 first-round picks, 1 pick swap and 2 second-rounders, sources tell ESPN. A return to Canada for the Raptors champion and two-time Finals MVP. <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/VovqGw5qS6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/VovqGw5qS6<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) <a  href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/ShamsCharania\/status\/2072042756562731501?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 30, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2>Did the Clippers Fleece the Raptors in the Leonard Trade?<\/h2>\n<p>Leonard, coming off his best season since 2019-20,\u00a0 <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/06\/30\/kawhi-leonard-tor-trade\/\" target=\"_self\">returns to Toronto<\/a> after spending seven campaigns in LA. Leonard bolted to Southern California the summer after leading the Raptors to their lone NBA championship in 2019. The 35-year-old averaged nearly 28 points on 50.5% shooting and 2.6 threes at a 38.7% clip. Additionally, he grabbed 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.9 steals.<\/p>\n<p>While Leonard is once again a Raptor, LA got a pretty good package in <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/i\/ingrabr01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Brandon Ingram<\/a> and <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/d\/dickgr01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Gradey Dick<\/a> along with four draft picks. The draft capital that the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/category\/clippers\/\" target=\"_self\">Clippers<\/a> received was a 2027 first-round swap, a 2030 second-round selection, a 2031 first-round pick, and the Raptors&#8217; 2033 first- and second-round picks.<\/p>\n<p>Ingram had a solid season, earning his second-ever All-Star honors, but he struggled in Toronto&#8217;s opening-round playoff loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.\u00a0 Dick, who had a breakout sophomore campaign, went from starting 56 games in 2024-25 to the backend of Darko Rajakovic&#8217;s rotation this past season. He averaged 6.0 points and 1.9 rebounds with shooting splits of 41.9\/30.1\/87.5.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/category\/raptors\/\" target=\"_self\">Toronto<\/a> and LA had been discussing a trade involving Leonard for the past few weeks, per ESPN&#8217;s Shams Charania. While Charania said the Clippers had trade discussions with other teams, the Raptors were the only team he would agree to an extension with.\u00a0 Leonard will make $50.6 million this upcoming season and is eligible for a two-year, $123.7 million extension with the Raptors.<\/p>\n<p><span>&#8220;Three key reasons Leonard was open to this deal to Toronto, according to sources: Familiarity with a Toronto organization that has the majority of its front office structure in place, now led by executive vice president Bobby Webster,&#8221; <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nba\/story\/_\/id\/49228663\/sources-raptors-nearing-deal-acquire-leonard-clippers\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Charania wrote<\/a>. Leonard also likes the city of Toronto and believes the Raptors can contend in the Eastern Conference.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>The trade will not be official until July 6.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Because of where Toronto is with regard to the first apron, the Kawhi Leonard proposed trade will need to wait until July 6.<\/p>\n<p>Leonard also has a 15% trade bonus of his remaining salary.<\/p>\n<p>The bonus is valued at $7.5M and the Clippers are responsible to pay.<\/p>\n<p>He can amend the bonus\u2026<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) <a  href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/BobbyMarks42\/status\/2072052386059919580?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 30, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h3>Los Angeles Clippers Trade Grade: A<\/h3>\n<p>LA is entering a new era. The Clippers had a lot of success with Leonard, posting the NBA&#8217;s fourth-best winning percentage at 58.7% though they were never able to get over the hunp. While the Clippers reached the Western Conference Finals in 2021, it was also the last time they won a playoff series. The Clippers missed the playoffs in two of the past five seasons, including this past season when they finished ninth in the West at 42-40.<\/p>\n<p>With the trade, Los Angeles got younger and saved a little more than $3.7 million in cap space. Since starting last season as the oldest team in the league, the Clippers have traded Leonard and<a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/hardeja01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> James Harden<\/a>. They didn&#8217;t exercise the team option on <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/bogdabo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bogdan Bogdanovic<\/a> and had <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/bealbr01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bradley Beal<\/a> become a free agent after declining his option.<\/p>\n<p>Following yesterday&#8217;s trade, LA now has 11 players under contract, with a salary cap hit of $158.4 million. This leaves the Clippers with about $6.5 million in cap space.\u00a0 This includes unsigned 2026 No. 5 pick <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/wagleke01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Keaton Wagler<\/a> and recently re-signed<a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/s\/sandeko01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Kobe Sanders<\/a>. Their average age is slightly under 26.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The Clippers get the two most valuable first-round picks the Raptors could offer and should move up around 10 spots in the 2027 Draft with that swap.<\/p>\n<p>Fantastic return for Kawhi Leonard. <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Z4AOkvbK4z\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/Z4AOkvbK4z<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Yossi Gozlan (@YossiGozlan) <a  href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/YossiGozlan\/status\/2072093100055671276?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 30, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Speaking of Sanders, he signed a four-year, $11.2 million contract after having his player option declined on Monday. Sanders, the No.50 pick in 2025, had a solid rookie campaign with 7.3 points and 2.3 rebounds with shooting splits of 46.6\/40.8\/82.6. He is expected to earn $2.5 million this upcoming campaign.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"max-width: px\"><smartframe-embed class=\"smartframe_wp_element\" customer-id=\"a61405551f80e72f675225f083759bb9\" image-id=\"fwuQA5gXQPwi\" style=\"width: 100%; display: inline-flex; max-width: 3900px; aspect-ratio: 3900\/2700;\" ><\/smartframe-embed><\/p>\n<h4>How Do Ingram and Dick Fit With the Clippers and What&#8217;s Next?<\/h4>\n<p>Ingram immediately becomes the Clippers&#8217; offensive engine, alongside <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/g\/garlada01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Darius Garland<\/a> and Wagler. Ingram, 28, will make $40 million this year and has a $41.9 million player option for 2026-27.<\/p>\n<p>Ingram is a high-usage shot-maker who excels in the mid-range. Ingram will replace Leonard as the Clippers&#8217; starting small forward.\u00a0 However, his defense is a real question mark.<\/p>\n<p>Dick is known for his shooting gravity, though the 23-year-old struggled mightily from deep after being believed reliable from downtown his first two seasons. The 6-7 wing figures to compete for a rotational spot this year, though it is possible he becomes a major part of the Clippers&#8217; second unit if <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/mathube01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bennedict Mathurin<\/a> returns. He excels off the move and is a connector-type player who likes to get out in transition.<\/p>\n<p>Mathurin is a restricted free agent after receiving his $12.2 million qualifying offer. Mathurin proved to be a valuable scorer off the bench for the Clippers after coming over from Indiana at the trade deadline, but he struggled with efficiency.<\/p>\n<p>Assuming Mathurin returns, whether accepting the qualifying offer or earning amulti-year deal, that would give the Clippers 12 players on the ledger. They will likely re-sign restricted free agent<a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/millejo02.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Jordan Miller<\/a>, and 2026 second-round draft pick <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/milleba01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Baba Miller<\/a> will also get a standard deal. However, <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/chrisca02.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cam Christie<\/a>&#8216;s guarantee date for his $2.2 million contract has been pushed back to July 20. The Clippers&#8217; biggest need going forward is a big, whether a power forward or center.<\/p>\n<h3>Toronto Raptors Trade Grade: B<\/h3>\n<p>Toronto is coming off its best season since 2021-22, the last time the Raptors made the playoffs before this past year, going 46-36. Toronto, the East&#8217;s fifth seed, fell to Cleveland in seven games, with every game won by the home team.\u00a0 The 46 wins were a 16-victory improvement from 2024-25.<\/p>\n<p>Leonard immediately becomes the &#8220;guy&#8221; once again in Toronto. Even though Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett are solid scorers, they are not the shot-makers or creators that Leonard is. While Leonard is much older than he was the last time he was in Toronto, he is still a perfect fit for the Raptors due to their defensive identity and half-court needs.<\/p>\n<p>The Raptors now have 11 players under contract and are about $4 million below the luxury tax. So, the Raptors are destined to be a tax team with four spots to fill. This figure includes 2026 No. 2o pick <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/g\/graveal01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Allen Graves<\/a>&#8216; $4 million salary.<\/p>\n<p>While LA got a nice return, the Clippers reportedly would have preferred more draft capital and the Raptors&#8217; top young players, per Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca.<\/p>\n<p><span>&#8220;<\/span>The Raptors turned away requests for all-NBA rookie <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/murraco01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Collin Murray-Boyle<\/a>s and breakout second-year wing <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/walteja01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ja\u2019Kobe Walter,<\/a>&#8221; <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.sportsnet.ca\/nba\/article\/kawhi-leonard-deal-signals-raptors-championship-intention-but-not-without-risk\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Grange said<\/a>. Even as negotiations picked up on Monday, one league source suggested that the Clippers were trying to extract second-year point guard <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/s\/sheadja01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jamal Shead<\/a>. No dice<span>.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Toronto does need to add a backup center and another point guard or combo guard. The Raptors do have a decision to make today, whether to guarantee <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/b\/battlja01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jamison Battle<\/a>&#8216;s $2.3 million salary.<\/p>\n<p><span>Photo credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Kawhi Leonard is headed back North as the Los Angeles Clippers and Toronto Raptors have agreed to a three-player, multi-draft pick trade. BREAKING: The Los Angeles Clippers are nearing deal sending Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, 2 first-round picks, 1 pick swap and 2 second-rounders, sources tell ESPN. A [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3146,"featured_media":203264,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1608,2,27,62,3,14],"tags":[4303,1227,311,308,4831,168,297],"class_list":["post-203162","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-basketball","category-featured","category-clippers","category-nba","category-news","category-raptors","tag-bennedict-mathurin","tag-bogdan-bogdanovic","tag-bradley-beal","tag-brandon-ingram","tag-gradey-dick","tag-kawhi-leonard","tag-nba-free-agency"],"modified_by":"Daniel Benjamin, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/203162","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3146"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=203162"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/203162\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":203267,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/203162\/revisions\/203267"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/203264"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=203162"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=203162"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=203162"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}