A blockbuster NBA trade sending Kawhi Leonard back to Toronto is temporarily frozen while the league investigates potential salary cap violations by the Los Angeles Clippers, the Raptors announced Thursday.
The Raptors said the NBA’s league office told them they would be taking on the risk of any fallout from the ongoing Clippers investigation if the deal went through. As a result, the team said it would hold off until the investigation wraps up.
“The NBA league office informed us that as a result of the ongoing investigation involving the Clippers, we would assume the risk of any potential outcome of the investigation impacting Kawhi,” the Raptors stated. “In light of this, we will wait until the league’s investigation is complete.”
The NBA launched its investigation back in September after journalist Pablo Torre reported on a $28 million endorsement deal between Leonard and Aspiration Fund Adviser LLC — a company that has since filed for bankruptcy. The league is using outside legal counsel to conduct the probe, and there is currently no estimated end date for the investigation. The NBA had no comment on the matter Thursday.
Despite the delay, the Raptors made clear they still want Leonard back in their lineup. “The Raptors remain eager to bring Kawhi back to Toronto and look forward to a swift resolution for our players, our organization, and our fans,” the team said.
The two teams had reached a trade agreement earlier this month. Under the deal, Toronto would send Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round draft picks, two second-round picks, and pick swaps to the Clippers in exchange for Leonard.
Leonard’s lone season in Toronto was a memorable one — he helped the Raptors capture their only NBA championship in 2019. He turned 35 earlier this month and is coming off the best scoring season of his career, putting up an average of 27.9 points per game over 65 games with the Clippers.
A seven-time All-Star and seven-time All-NBA selection, Leonard has won two NBA championships — the one with Toronto and another in 2014 with San Antonio. He is widely regarded as one of the premier defensive players in the history of the game.
