This is the hottest rumour in the league right now: the Clippers are reportedly talking to the Raptors about a trade that would send Kawhi Leonard back to the franchise where he won a title in 2019.
According to insider Jake Fischer, the Los Angeles Clippers have held serious discussions with the Toronto Raptors over a potential deal involving Kawhi Leonard. Nothing is close yet, talks are still at an early stage, but the fact the conversations are even happening is enough to put this story right back on the NBA summer radar.
Ouh d’apres @JakeLFischer, ca chauffe entre Clippers et Raptors pour un trade de Kawhi Leonard 🔥
Les deux franchises auraient bien discute ce week-end. Toronto prefererait construire un deal autour de Brandon Ingram, plutot que RJ Barrett.
Affaire a suivre… 🤔 pic.twitter.com/60hd99iIIA
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) June 28, 2026
Back in 2019, Leonard delivered Toronto its first ever NBA title after a legendary run. There was the historic shot against the Philadelphia 76ers, the relentless march to the crown, and the final blow against the Golden State Warriors. A lot has changed since then. But the connection between Kawhi and Canada has never fully gone away.
The Kawhi problem: huge talent, huge risk
The issue with Kawhi Leonard has never been about ability. When he is on the floor, he is still one of the most complete and most dangerous players in the NBA. Elite defender. Ice-cold scorer. A man who can take over when the game tightens up. He still looks like a superstar who can flip a team. The real question is simpler, and far more awkward: can anyone actually rely on him being there?
If you look at last season, the answer is yes, as he played 65 of 82 games in the 2025-2026 campaign. That was his first time reaching that mark in two years and, on top of that, he was hugely productive.
That is what makes his market tricky. A source close to the situation explained that the Clippers would be open to moving him, but several teams are naturally wary because of Leonard’s injury history. Toronto might have one small edge here: they know the environment that surrounded Kawhi in 2019 and may believe they understand how to handle him better than anyone else.
The Raptors want to build, but not at any cost
Toronto is coming off a promising season. With a 46-36 record, the Raptors made the playoffs for the first time since 2022. Their run ended in the first round against the Cleveland Cavaliers after a hard-fought seven-game series, but the direction of travel is obvious. The franchise has a young, ambitious core built around players like Scottie Barnes and may be tempted to add a superstar who can take the group up a level.
But if they want Leonard, they will likely have to pay up. Based on the information available, the Clippers would prefer to get Brandon Ingram rather than RJ Barrett in any deal. That makes sense for Los Angeles, who would be trying to land a player who can create offence and contribute right away.
on MathODDS
Ingram or Barrett: a decision that could shape Toronto’s future
This is not a straightforward call for Toronto. RJ Barrett turned in a strong playoff series against the Cavaliers. He finished as the Raptors’ leading scorer in the series with 24.1 points per game, along with 7 rebounds and 4 assists a night. Young, aggressive, and still developing, he fits the rebuild perfectly.
🤩 𝗟𝗔 𝗦𝗘́𝗥𝗜𝗘 𝗦𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗟𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗘 𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗥𝗘 𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗢 𝗘𝗧 𝗖𝗟𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗗
ET QUEL SHOOT DE DINGUE DE RJ BARRETT 🇨🇦
😱 LE REBOND MIRACULEUX, ALORS QUE L’ELIMINATION ETAIT SI PROCHE.pic.twitter.com/9qVkTXXiuS
— Basket USA 🏀 (@basketusa) May 2, 2026
Brandon Ingram is a different bet. More experienced, able to create his own shot and already used to offensive responsibility, he also finished the season with a foot injury. Against Cleveland, he managed only 12 points per game across five games, well below his usual standard.
So the choice is clear enough: should Toronto give up part of its future for a player who could lift the team immediately?
The Mavs as a possible solution
A trade that could shift the NBA balance
On paper, a Kawhi Leonard return to Toronto would be fascinating. A superstar going back to the place where he wrote one of the best chapters of his career.
But behind the nostalgia sits a cold reality: the Raptors would have to win over the Clippers, take on a massive medical gamble and maybe part with a chunk of their future. The talks have only just started. Nothing is close. Nothing is guaranteed.
Still, in an NBA where one summer can blow up a franchise in a matter of hours, just having Kawhi Leonard linked to Toronto again is enough to put the whole league on alert.
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