Lebron makes decision on NBA future | 00:39
One blockbuster trade is on hold, while one of the league’s biggest stars remains unsigned.
All that and more in the latest edition ofNBA Daily.
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RAPTORS HIT THE BRAKES
The Toronto Raptors are reportedly refusing to complete their blockbuster trade for Kawhi Leonard, unwilling to inherit any potential NBA sanctions if the league ultimately rules against the Los Angeles Clippers in its ongoing investigation.
According to ESPN NBA insider Ramona Shelburne, the Raptors will not finalise the trade because any fines or penalties issued after the deal is completed would become Toronto’s responsibility.
One franchise has slammed the brakes on a blockbuster trade, while another isn’t done building its championship roster.Source: AP
“The Raptors are refusing to complete the trade for Kawhi Leonard because they are unwilling to take on the risk of potential NBA penalties,” Shelburne reported.
“They are not willing to assume those risks.”
The proposed deal would send Leonard to Toronto, while the Clippers would receive Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, a first-round pick swap and two second-round selections.
The latest development is another major obstacle in what has become one of the NBA’s most complex off-season storylines.
According to ESPN’s Vince Goodwill, Clippers owner Steve Ballmer is prepared to launch an aggressive legal challenge if the NBA imposes sanctions against him.
“Steve Ballmer can lawyer up as well as anybody,” Goodwill said.
'In Australia we say that all the time!' | 01:48
The NBA’s investigation, which has now stretched close to 10 months, centres on allegations the Clippers violated league rules. The organisation has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Earlier this week, ESPN reported the investigation could extend into 2027 if the NBA and the parties involved fail to agree on the league’s findings or any proposed disciplinary action.
Sources with knowledge of the matter also told ESPN that the National Basketball Players Association would not hesitate to challenge any penalties through arbitration if it believed the league lacked sufficient evidence.
Despite the uncertainty, Shelburne reported the Clippers are “quite fine” keeping Leonard should the trade ultimately collapse.
Former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins believes that’s exactly what Toronto should force to happen.
“If I’m the Toronto Raptors, I’m finding a way to get up out of this deal. I’m finding a way to back out,” Perkins said on ESPN’s NBA Today.
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WHY HARDEN REMAINS UNSIGNED
Despite remaining one of the NBA’s biggest unsigned stars, James Harden’s return to the Cleveland Cavaliers appears to be only a matter of time.
After declining his $42.3 million player option for the 2026-27 season, Harden is yet to put pen to paper on a new deal, but the delay is reportedly strategic rather than a sign of uncertainty.
According to ESPN NBA insider Ramona Shelburne, Harden has given Cleveland the flexibility to continue pursuing roster upgrades before finalising his next contract.
A trade has stalled, a contender is still making moves, and the NBA off-season just got even more interesting.Source: AP
“The Cavs are still poking around with Peyton Watson and I think that’s why James has given them a lot of room to negotiate,“ Shelburne said.
Cleveland had also positioned itself as a contender to land LeBron James before the four-time MVP ultimately signed with the Philadelphia 76ers, with Harden’s decision to decline his player option reportedly helping create the financial flexibility needed to explore blockbuster additions.
With James now off the market, the Cavaliers have shifted their attention to two younger forwards who could strengthen their championship aspirations.
Restricted free agent Peyton Watson remains firmly on Cleveland’s radar, although any move would require a sign-and-trade agreement with the Denver Nuggets.
'Grateful the league has taken action' | 00:40
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, negotiations between Watson and Denver remain apart, with the 23-year-old seeking a contract worth more annually than Christian Braun’s five-year, $125 million extension.
“Denver’s initial offers to restricted free agent Peyton Watson, league sources say, have been in the $16-to-18 million range in terms of annual average value,” Stein reported.
“Watson, of course, is known to be seeking a deal with a richer per-season salary than teammate Christian Braun’s five-year, $125 million rookie scale contract extension.”
The Cavaliers have also been heavily linked with restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga, with Cleveland and the Los Angeles Lakers emerging as the leading suitors.
Like Watson, any acquisition would need to be completed via a sign-and-trade.
Despite Cleveland continuing to explore its options, Shelburne believes Harden’s new contract isn’t far away.
“I think that could happen relatively soon.
“The question is gonna be is it a two-year deal, a three-year deal, what the structure looks like is gonna determine what the money looks like.”