TORONTO – Seven years after leading the franchise to its historic maiden championship, Kawhi Leonard has officially returned to the Toronto Raptors. The 35-year-old superstar arrived via a mid-September trade that sent Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, two second-round picks, and a pick-swap to the Los Angeles Clippers, according to reporting by The Guardian. Leonard subsequently signed a two-year, $115m contract extension with the franchise, expressing a desire to finish his career north of the border.
A Complicated Legacy In Toronto
Leonard’s initial tenure in Toronto during the 2018–19 season remains the pinnacle of the franchise’s history. Acquired in a blockbuster trade that sent DeMar DeRozan to the San Antonio Spurs, Leonard averaged 30.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.7 steals during an unforgettable playoff run that culminated in the 2019 NBA title and a parade drawing an estimated 2.5 million people.
Despite that success, Leonard departed in free agency to join his hometown Los Angeles Clippers. That exit, managed by his uncle Dennis Robertson, triggered deep friction. According to The Guardian, subsequent league investigations revealed severe salary cap violations by the Clippers, leading to a five-year suspension for Robertson and the harshest punishment in NBA history for owner Steve Ballmer, including the forfeiture of five first-round draft picks.
Rebuilding And Looking Ahead
The Raptors struggled to win a playoff series after 2020, enduring three difficult seasons with 30 wins or fewer. Last year, however, a star leap from 25-year-old Scottie Barnes injected fresh momentum into the roster. Front office leadership opted to seize an opportunity to bring Leonard back, despite ongoing scrutiny surrounding his departure from Los Angeles and an active Justice Department investigation.
Leonard acknowledged the warmth of the local fans in the team’s Open Gym documentary series, noting that he took a liking to the city and hopes to give the organization his all once again. With a two-year extension secured and a chance to rewrite his chapter in Canada, Leonard enters his mid-30s aiming to cement a permanent home for a career that has spanned multiple storied franchises.