Kawhi Leonard trade details: Raptors reunite with former Finals MVP in deal with Clippers originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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When James Harden was traded by the Los Angeles Clippers in February, some believed it was only a matter of time until Kawhi Leonard was moved as well.
Despite reports indicating the Clippers were happy to keep Leonard long-term, a deal was inevitable, after all.
L.A. traded Leonard back to the Raptors on Tuesday, seven years after the two-time NBA Finals MVP devastated Toronto with his decision to leave on the heels of a championship and head to Southern California.
Here are the full details of the Raptors’ trade to reunite with Leonard.
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Kawhi Leonard trade details
The deal involves two players, four draft picks and one pick swap.
Raptors receive:
- SF Kawhi Leonard
Clippers receive:
- F Brandon Ingram
- G Gradey Dick
- 2 first-round picks
- 2 second-round picks
- Pick swap
The Raptors are sending Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, two second-round picks and one pick swap to reunite with Leonard.
Leonard has dealt with a number of injuries since leaving the Raptors, but he played 65 games last season and often looked like his vintage self, averaging 27.9 points per game and shooting better than 50 percent from the field. Toronto is hoping Leonard can stay on the court next season and beyond, but there is a risk associated with bringing in the seven-time All-Star.
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Kawhi Leonard contract
Leonard is on an expiring contract, as he is heading into the last year of an extension with the Clippers and will make $50.3 million next season.
The 35-year-old, however, is reportedly open to signing an extension with the Raptors, which made a deal possible. It was eight years ago that Toronto swung a blockbuster deal for Leonard despite receiving no such commitment from the two-way star, but his familiarity with the organization could pay off with a long-term deal this time around.
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Kawhi Leonard stats
| Season | Team | Games | PPG | RPG | APG | FG% | 3PT% |
| 2011-12 | Spurs | 64 | 7.9 | 5.1 | 1.1 | 49.3% | 37.6% |
| 2012-13 | Spurs | 58 | 11.9 | 6.0 | 1.6 | 49.4% | 37.4% |
| 2013-14 | Spurs | 66 | 12.8 | 6.2 | 2.0 | 52.2% | 37.9% |
| 2014-15 | Spurs | 65 | 16.5 | 7.2 | 2.5 | 47.9% | 34.9% |
| 2015-16 | Spurs | 72 | 21.2 | 6.8 | 2.6 | 50.6% | 44.3% |
| 2016-17 | Spurs | 74 | 25.5 | 5.8 | 3.5 | 48.5% | 38.0% |
| 2017-18 | Spurs | 9 | 16.2 | 4.7 | 2.3 | 46.8% | 31.4% |
| 2018-19 | Raptors | 60 | 26.6 | 7.3 | 3.3 | 49.6% | 37.1% |
| 2019-20 | Clippers | 57 | 27.1 | 7.1 | 4.9 | 47.0% | 37.8% |
| 2020-21 | Clippers | 52 | 24.8 | 6.5 | 5.2 | 51.2% | 39.8% |
| 2021-22 | Clippers | DNP | |||||
| 2022-23 | Clippers | 52 | 23.8 | 6.5 | 3.9 | 51.2% | 41.6% |
| 2023-24 | Clippers | 68 | 23.7 | 6.1 | 3.6 | 52.5% | 41.7% |
| 2024-25 | Clippers | 37 | 21.5 | 5.9 | 3.1 | 49.8% | 41.1% |
| 2025-26 | Clippers | 65 | 27.9 | 6.4 | 3.6 | 50.5% | 38.7% |
| Career | 798 | 20.7 | 6.4 | 3.1 | 49.9% | 39.1% |
Leonard averaged a career-high 27.9 points per game last season, dipping below 40 percent from 3-point range for the first time since 2020-21 but still shooting better than 50% from the field.
Leonard hasn’t averaged less than 20 points per game in a season in which he’s played at least 10 games since 2014-15.
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Kawhi Leonard career timeline
- 2011-18: San Antonio Spurs
- 2018-19: Toronto Raptors
- 2019-26: Los Angeles Clippers
- 2026-present: Toronto Raptors
Leonard was drafted 15th overall by the Spurs in 2011 and won a championship in 2014 alongside an older core of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, earning NBA Finals MVP honors.
After multiple injuries and a falling out with San Antonio, Leonard made it clear he wanted out in 2018 and was traded to the Raptors despite not expressing a desire to play in Toronto. Leonard played out the season to perfection, leading the Raptors to their first championship, and he took advantage of his newfound freedom on the open market by joining the Clippers along with Paul George.
The Clippers didn’t achieve their championship dreams with Leonard, reaching their first Western Conference Finals in 2021 but losing their star to a partially torn ACL during that playoff run.
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