The Raptors and Clippers have completed their long-stalled trade sending Kawhi Leonard back to Toronto, per ESPN and Yahoo Sports reporting. The deal, which had been on hold pending an NBA investigation into whether the Clippers circumvented salary cap rules regarding Leonard's compensation, is now official.
The investigation created an unusual bottleneck in the offseason timeline. Rather than clearing immediately when the teams agreed to terms, the trade remained in limbo for months while the league examined the structure of Leonard's previous contract with LA. That probe has now concluded, allowing both franchises to execute the transaction.
Leonard's return to Toronto marks a reunion with the organization where he won a championship in 2019 before requesting a trade to the Clippers ahead of the 2019-20 season. Yahoo Sports reports that Leonard is "CONFIRMED a part of the Toronto roster" following the trade's completion.
The trade resolves one of the offseason's lingering questions, though the specific assets moving between the Clippers and Raptors have not been detailed in available reporting. The investigation's conclusion also clears the way for both teams to finalize their rosters heading into training camp.
This article synthesizes reporting from Yahoo Sports, ESPN. Top story: "Kawhi Leonard returns to Toronto as Raptors and Clippers complete long-awaited deal" (Yahoo Sports).