NBA Insider Suggests Raptors Renegotiate Kawhi Leonard Deal Following Clippers Penalties

The Toronto Raptors are positioned to acquire Kawhi Leonard from the Los Angeles Clippers, as BlogTO first reported, following the conclusion of an NBA cap-circumvention investigation. However, an NBA insider suggests the front office should reconsider the current terms.

As reported by BlogTO, ESPN's Brian Windhorst stated on The Hoop Collective podcast that Toronto may be overpaying in the agreed-upon deal. The current trade terms involve the Raptors sending Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, four future draft picks, and a 2027 pick swap to the Clippers. Windhorst argues that because the Clippers cannot bring Leonard back next year, Toronto possesses substantial leverage to re-jig the trade before the league processes the paperwork.

This leverage stems from the severe penalties the NBA imposed on the Clippers and owner Steve Ballmer. According to BlogTO, the league stripped the Clippers of five future first-round draft picks and fined Ballmer $30 million, alongside a one-year suspension from team operations. Given the Clippers' sudden shortage of draft assets, Windhorst suggests Toronto could restructure the draft-pick portion of the deal or request additional returns.

Financial constraints remain a factor. BlogTO reports that the Raptors currently sit at the first apron of $209 million; retaining both Leonard and Ingram would push the team past the second apron of $221.7 million.

Leonard, who was fined $700,000 in the probe but avoided suspension, indicated on social media Wednesday that he is focused on returning to Toronto and moving forward with a clean slate.