The Toronto Raptors, Los Angeles Clippers and Kawhi Leonard are stuck. In June, the Raptors and Clippers agreed to a trade to send Leonard, a two-time NBA Finals MVP, back to Toronto in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and a draft capital.
Leonard, 35, continues to be involved in multiple league investigations over cap circumvention. Last month, the Raptors and Clippers agreed not to finalize the trade until the investigations conclude. Right now, there is no telling where Leonard will be playing to start the 2026-27 season — or if he will be playing at all.
With the Raptors, who are looking to make a push in the Eastern Conference next season, not knowing what Leonard’s future holds, it might be wise to have a back up plan in mind.
The Trade Idea Raptors Must Consider if Kawhi Leonard Trade Gets Nixed
GettyTORONTO, ONTARIO – JUNE 10: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors reacts against the Golden State Warriors in the second half during Game Five of the 2019 NBA Finals at Scotiabank Arena on June 10, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Last season’s playoffs showed the Raptors have the roots of rising championship contender. They might have been a superstar away from appearing in the conference finals. Clearly, the Toronto front office saw it that way, leading to the Leonard trade. But if Leonard, who led the franchise to its first-ever title in 2019, gets sent back to the Clippers as a result of the investigations, the Raptors should pivot to Houston Rockets superstar Kevin Durant. If the Leonard trade fails and his contract is voided, the Raptors would regain the assets involved in the deal for Leonard, team insider Michael Grange reports.
In a hypothetical scenario, the Raptors, after learning the Leonard trade was unsuccessful, dial up the Rockets to discuss a trade that sends Durant, a 16-time All-Star, to Toronto. Here’s a proposed framework.
Raptors receive: Kevin Durant and Clint Capela
Rockets receive: Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, Ja’Kobe Walter and a first and second round pick in 2028
With Leonard no longer in Toronto’s plan, the superstar-needy Raptors go for Durant, one of the league’s most efficient scorers despite his age.
With Scottie Barnes by his side, Durant could slot in as the top scoring option and do what he does best. Last season, the 37-year-old Durant registered at least 25 points per game and shot 50 percent from the floor for the 14th year in a row. With Durant, the Raptors’ ceiling goes from a first or second round exit to a contender to represent the East in the NBA Finals.
Toronto Advised to Back Out of Kawhi Trade
With the Leonard situation seeing no end, Raptors reporter Jeremy Brenner believes the franchise may be better suited if it backs away from the deal for Leonard.
“As of now, the Raptors are simply in limbo, waiting for this investigation to conclude, and there is no sign that it will be anytime soon,” Brenner wrote for Sports Illustrated. The latest update said that the investigation could go into 2027, which is not on the Raptors’ timeline. They are hoping this deal gets resolved between now and the start of training camp in late September. The Raptors are hoping Leonard can report to Quebec City, but he won’t be able to if the investigation does not end by then.”
Brenner noted that the Raptors could sign Leonard as a free agent next summer. If Toronto makes a superstar trade for a player like Durant this offseason and lands Leonard the next, that could be a formula to build a new juggernaut in the East.
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