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Raptors Pursue Kawhi Leonard Trade, Offer Ingram, Picks

6/30/2026

Summary

Leonard Trade Talks

The Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers are discussing a trade to send Kawhi Leonard to Toronto.
Leonard has one year left on a $50.3 million 2026-27 contract and averaged 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.9 steals in 65 games.
Toronto proposes All-Star Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and up to four first-round picks, with Ingram owed $40 million next season, while sources indicate Leonard would sign an extension only with Toronto.

Summary

NBA Probe

NBA investigators are probing a possible $28 million salary-cap circumvention tied to the Clippers’ Aspiration endorsement.
Owner Steve Ballmer, who invested $60 million in Aspiration, says he never knew of the arrangement.
Commissioner Adam Silver said an independent law firm is conducting the probe and expects it to finish after his June 3 comment.
The Clippers issued qualifying offers to Bennedict Mathurin, Kobe Sanders and Jordan Miller, exercised Brook Lopez’s $9.2 million option and waived Bogdan Bogdanovic and Nicolas Batum.

Summary

Ujiri Builds Flagg

Masai Ujiri (president) says Mavericks will build around 19-year-old Cooper Flagg (player) and added GM Mike Schmitz and coach Dusty May to keep Kyrie Irving (player) core.
Because the Mavericks have no picks until the 2031 draft, a swap for P.J. Washington (player) and Klay Thompson (player) would add veterans but no draft assets.
Analysts warn that if Kawhi Leonard (player) leaves 2027 free agency, Dallas could lose trade assets.

History

Historical Context

In July 2004 the NBA approved the Lakers-Heat trade that sent Shaquille O’Neal to Miami, ending a season of tension with the Lakers. O’Neal’s $100 million five-year extension in August 2005 and the Heat’s 59-23 record that year led the league to tighten salary-cap audits, a system now guiding the Adam Silver probe of the Kawhi Leonard deal.

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Leonard Trade Talks

The Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers are discussing a trade to send Kawhi Leonard to Toronto.
Leonard has one year left on a $50.3 million 2026-27 contract and averaged 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.9 steals in 65 games.
Toronto proposes All-Star Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and up to four first-round picks, with Ingram owed $40 million next season, while sources indicate Leonard would sign an extension only with Toronto.

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