Story perspectives

Raptors Freeze Kawhi Trade Amid NBA Endorsement Probe

7/10/2026

Summary

Raptors Halt Trade

Raptors halted the Kawhi Leonard trade, which would have sent Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, a 2027 swap and second-round picks to the Clippers, after NBA said it would assume risk from its investigation.
The NBA opened a probe into a $28-million no-show endorsement with Aspiration, whose co-founder faced fraud charges.
Clippers expect the trade to close after investigation, noting that Leonard attended Kyle Lowry’s July 7, 2026 retirement conference.

Summary

Silver Updates Investigation

NBA commissioner Adam Silver said the NBA investigation is far along and that it will finish before the Board of Governors meeting in Las Vegas next Tuesday.
The 2023 collective bargaining agreement allows penalties up to $7.5 million, draft-pick loss, suspensions or contract voiding for cap circumvention, which could affect Toronto if the trade proceeds.
The Clippers’ $300 million Aspiration deal illustrates the scheme’s scale, prompting Toronto to decline any penalty risk.

History

Historical Context

The NBA’s fourth lockout began on July 1 2011 and ended after 161 days on December 8, producing a new collective bargaining agreement that lowered the players’ share of basketball-related income to a 49-51.2 % split and tightened salary-cap enforcement. That framework, negotiated by Commissioner David Stern and now overseen by Adam Silver, underpins the Raptors’ 2024 decision to block a Kawhi Leonard trade to the Los Angeles Clippers.

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Raptors Halt Trade

Raptors halted the Kawhi Leonard trade, which would have sent Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, a 2027 swap and second-round picks to the Clippers, after NBA said it would assume risk from its investigation.
The NBA opened a probe into a $28-million no-show endorsement with Aspiration, whose co-founder faced fraud charges.
Clippers expect the trade to close after investigation, noting that Leonard attended Kyle Lowry’s July 7, 2026 retirement conference.

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