TORONTO – The Toronto Raptors say they’ve put their proposed trade for Kawhi Leonard on hold after the NBA said the team would assume the chance of any final result from the league’s ongoing investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers.
The proposed deal would send Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks, a 2027 pick swap and two second-round picks to the Clippers for Leonard.
The NBA opened an investigation in September following allegations first reported by journalist Pablo Torre that Leonard signed a US$28-million “no-show” endorsement take care of Aspiration, an environmental financial technology company, that required no work beyond remaining with the Clippers.
Aspiration later entered bankruptcy after its co-founder, Joe Sanberg, was charged with fraud, though Leonard has not been charged with any wrongdoing.
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The Raptors said they’ll wait until the investigation is complete before moving ahead with the trade.
“The NBA league office informed us that in consequence of the continuing investigation involving the Clippers, we might assume the chance of any potential final result of the investigation impacting Kawhi,” the team said in a press release.
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“The Raptors remain wanting to bring Kawhi back to Toronto and stay up for a swift resolution for our players, our organization, and our fans.”
The Clippers also issued a press release saying that they expect the trade shall be accomplished once the investigation concludes.
“At the center of this investigation are Joe Sanberg and Aspiration. We didn’t funnel money to Kawhi Leonard through Aspiration,” said the Clippers. “Like many sophisticated investors, financial institutions, and business partners, we were victims of a fraud initiated by Sanberg, who has been convicted and sentenced to 14 years in prison.
“We recognize the uncertainty this has created and the impact it has had on our team, our fans, the Raptors organization, their fans, and the players whose futures remain affected while this process continues.”
Leonard led the Raptors to their only NBA championship in 2019 before leaving for the Clippers as a free agent that summer.
He turned 35 earlier this month but is coming off the highest-scoring season of his profession, averaging 27.9 points for the Clippers in 65 games.
Leonard is a seven-time All-Star, a seven-time All-NBA selection, a two-time NBA champion (also winning in 2014 with San Antonio) and is usually considered one in all the sport’s top defensive players.
Leonard made a public appearance in Toronto on Tuesday, attending Kyle Lowry’s retirement ceremony because the Raptors worked to finalize the proposed trade.
An ESPN report on Monday said that Leonard had a brand new agent and was in contract-extension negotiations with the Raptors as a part of the deal.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 9, 2026.
© 2026 The Canadian Press