Apr 5, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the first quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
Apr 5, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) during the first quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
With the Los Angeles Clippers in the early stages of a rebuild, it was only natural for them to pursue a trade for two-time champion Kawhi Leonard. It didn’t take long for them to agree to terms on a deal with the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, and four future draft picks (along with one pick swap).
The trade has officially been finalized after a long delay, but we’re only just finding out what Leonard gave up to make it happen. Besides $7.45 million, he turned down an opportunity to join one of two other teams that were interested in his services: the Detroit Pistons and Minnesota Timberwolves, who were both ready and willing to give a multi-year extension.
“This is a complete legacy play for Kawhi. There were teams — Detroit, Minnesota — others that had interest in trading for him, that wanted to trade for him, that wanted to give him an extension,” reported Shams Charania. “But he made a decision because he had one year left on his deal to essentially weed out where he wanted to play, where he wanted to be. And so this is a legacy play for Kawhi Leonard. There’s no doubt about it.”
Even at 35, Kawhi is the kind of talent that moves the needle for any competitive team. As a two-time champion, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, and seven-time All-Star, his resume is stacked, and he could have chosen from a list of interested teams. Plus, with career averages of 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.9 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game on 50.5% shooting from the field, he’s coming off the best statistical season of his career.
The Pistons had been tied to Kawhi for some time in their search for additional wing talent. After securing the top spot in the standings last season, they had high hopes of adding another co-star who could help and support Cade Cunningham. But between their lack of history with Leonard and their desperate situation in the Jalen Duren negotiations, it makes sense why he rejected their advances.
On the Minnesota Timberwolves, Leonard probably would have had his best chance to win a title. Before signing Kuminga, they were the perfect spot for Leonard and a place where he could have left a massive impact alongside Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, and Rudy Gobert. In the end, however, Leonard wanted to make a legacy play, which meant returning to old grounds to finish what he started.
Since the Spurs were never interested in re-signing Leonard, the Raptors were really his only choice. He only played there for one season, but it’s where he made history by leading the franchise to its first-ever NBA championship. Now, seven years later, Leonard believes he can relive the glory days and restore his damaged reputation after the cap-circumvention scandal.
On that front, much work needs to be done, but Kawhi doesn’t have any regrets. He has already fully embraced his new (yet familiar) surroundings, and the Raptors are poised to be competitive for many years to come.
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