Raptors land Kawhi Leonard in blockbuster deal; sportsbooks trim Toronto’s title odds
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Toronto’s NBA championship prospects surged on June 30 after the Raptors struck a blockbuster trade with the Los Angeles Clippers to bring star forward Kawhi Leonard back to Canada.
Sportsbooks reacted within minutes of the deal becoming public, sharply shortening Toronto’s 2026-27 title odds. Several operators moved the Raptors from the middle of the futures board to near the top, while the Clippers’ odds lengthened following Leonard’s departure.
Leonard’s return marks his second stint with the franchise; his previous tenure ended with a championship and his subsequent move to Los Angeles. Details of the latest trade package were not immediately disclosed, but the betting market response underscored the league-wide expectation that the 35-year-old forward remains a difference-maker.
Oddsmakers also adjusted conference and division markets, elevating Toronto ahead of several Eastern Conference rivals. The shift comes less than a week before the official start of free agency, adding another layer of intrigue to an already active offseason.
The NBA has not yet announced when Leonard will make his on-court return in a Raptors uniform. Training camp for the 2026-27 season is scheduled to open in late September.
Source: New York Post
