The Toronto Raptors have placed their agreement to reacquire forward Kawhi Leonard on hold until the NBA completes its ongoing investigation into the Clippers’ relationship with the two-time Finals MVP, league sources told The Athletic.
Why the Deal Is Paused
The Raptors and Clippers reached a verbal agreement on June 30, but the NBA cautioned Toronto that the probe could interfere with the transaction. That warning was repeated during a subsequent conference call arranged to finalize the trade, prompting Toronto to delay consummation of the deal.
Unless the investigation results in a direct punishment for Leonard—an outcome considered unlikely—the terms of the trade are expected to remain intact, according to the report by Sam Amick, Eric Koreen and Law Murray.
Status of the Investigation
The league began its inquiry last September after podcasts by journalist Pablo Torre alleged that the Clippers and Aspiration, a now-defunct green banking firm, used a no-show endorsement arrangement to pay Leonard outside the salary cap. Observers around the NBA have expressed surprise at the length of the probe.
Several executives hoped Commissioner Adam Silver would reveal findings at Tuesday’s Board of Governors meeting, but an NBA spokesperson said the law firms handling the case are not expected to finish their work for several more weeks.
Leonard’s Arrival and Contract Talk
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported on “Get Up” that Leonard was in Toronto earlier this week, passed his physical, and has opened preliminary extension discussions with the Raptors. The 35-year-old is entering the final season of his current contract.
Possible Three-Team Framework
Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca noted that the delay gives Toronto time to explore adding a third team to the trade. The objective would be to move an additional contract and avoid taking back more salary than it sends out; under the present structure, the Raptors would be hard-capped at the first tax apron.
DeRozan, Valanciunas Unlikely Targets
Grange added that Toronto is unlikely to pursue former Raptors DeMar DeRozan or Jonas Valanciunas, partly because the club would exceed the first apron even by signing a player to a veteran-minimum deal once the Leonard trade is finalized.
Summer League Updates
In a separate piece for Sportsnet.ca, Grange outlined the team’s development plan for 2025 lottery pick Collin Murray-Boyles. The forward is expected to broaden his skill set during Summer League but missed Friday’s opener with a finger sprain, according to Sportsnet’s Blake Murphy. Second-year guard Alijah Martin sat out as well because of knee inflammation.
The Raptors will await the NBA’s findings before rescheduling trade calls with the Clippers.
Source: HoopsRumors
