Kawhi Leonard isn't all that popular among the Los Angeles Clippers fan base right now, and that will probably remain the case until the end of time, even more so because he made it out of the cap circumvention scandal unscathed for the most part. He can, at least, give the organization a parting gift in the form of what the Raptors agreed to give up for him months ago.
The trade has been on hold for the past couple of months, per Toronto, until the investigation is complete. Now that it is, ESPN's Shams Charania reported on Thursday that the trade is on track to go through.
"The full expectation around the Raptors and around Kawhi Leonard and the league is that this trade will be going through in the next few days."
Kawhi Leonard trade is expected to go through soon
You might be reluctant to trust anything that's ESPN-related, given that, on August 17, the outlet reported that the NBA "found no evidence" that the Clippers circumvented the salary cap for Leonard. Clearly, that wasn't the case.
This is different, though. The Raptors wanted Leonard, and he wanted to be in Toronto. They can finally make that happen.
The Raptors don't need to renegotiate the terms they've already agreed to, since they're not facing any penalties because of Leonard. He's not facing a suspension, so Toronto doesn't have to worry about being without him for any period of time because of the scandal. Things can proceed as discussed.
Clippers need picks from Kawhi Leonard trade
Toronto agreed to send Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, along with a 2027 first-round pick swap, and two second-round picks to Los Angeles for Leonard.
Those unprotected first-round picks are more important than ever, as the NBA docked the Clippers five first-round picks: 2029, 2030, 2031, 2032, and 2033.
The haul from Toronto can help Los Angeles start pulling itself out of the mess it created. Perhaps even Ingram, who is entering the last guaranteed season of his current contract (though it'd be hard to envision him turning down his $41.9 million player option in 2027-28), can be flipped in a deal down the road, netting the Raptors something of value. Dick is the lesser name, but as the No. 13 pick in 2023, he'd give LA young talent to evaluate during a tough stretch.
The players involved in the deal have been operating as if the trade were already done, and it will be a relief when it becomes official. It will give Clippers fans something to feel a little hopeful about, if that's still an emotion they're capable of feeling after what this organization has put them through.
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