Clippers And Raptors Open Kawhi Leonard Trade Talks Sport By lines June 29, 2026 The Kawhi Leonard trade talks are real. The Los Angeles Clippers and Toronto Raptors have discussed a deal, ESPN reported. Kawhi Leonard carries one season left at $50.3 million. The clock matters with free agency opening this week. Toronto Pushes To Reunite With Its 2019 Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard told other teams he would extend only with the Toronto Raptors. The Los Angeles Clippers made no long-term commitment to Kawhi Leonard this offseason. Toronto prefers sending Brandon Ingram over RJ Barrett in any package. The Dallas Mavericks also explored a Kawhi Leonard trade, per Yahoo Sports. The two sides talked over the past two weeks, ESPN reported. So the bidding for Kawhi Leonard already stretches across three franchises. Brandon Ingram averaged 21.2 points for Toronto last season. RJ Barrett averaged 19.3 points across the same stretch. Brandon Ingram is two years older than RJ Barrett. Brandon Ingram is owed $40 million next season, with a $42 million option for 2027-28. RJ Barrett earns $29.6 million in 2026-27 before unrestricted free agency. The salary math shapes which name Toronto sends to Los Angeles. Kawhi Leonard led the Toronto Raptors to the 2019 NBA title. Kawhi Leonard won Finals MVP that year. Kawhi Leonard averaged 28.5 points in the Finals win over the Golden State Warriors. Kawhi Leonard also won the 2014 title and Finals MVP with the San Antonio Spurs. Two rings and two Finals MVPs follow Kawhi Leonard into these talks. A Kawhi Leonard trade reshapes both rosters before free agency opens. The Toronto Raptors would add a two-time NBA champion to a young core. A reunion would pair Kawhi Leonard with Scottie Barnes in Toronto. The Los Angeles Clippers would gain salary flexibility and younger players. The Los Angeles Clippers built their last six seasons around Kawhi Leonard. Toronto holds the only extension Kawhi Leonard says he wants. The wider NBA market is moving fast around the Kawhi Leonard talks. The Phoenix Suns acquired Miles Bridges from the Charlotte Hornets. The Oklahoma City Thunder agreed to keep Isaiah Hartenstein on a three-year deal. The New York Knicks re-signed guard Jose Alvarado to a new deal. Houston guard Fred VanVleet will not reach free agency, per ESPN. NBA free agency opens June 30 at 6 p.m. ET. The Toronto Raptors want a Kawhi Leonard answer before that window. Watch whether Brandon Ingram or RJ Barrett headlines the final offer. A Kawhi Leonard decision could trigger the next wave of moves. Related Sports Coverage Suns Land Miles Bridges as Hornets Stockpile Picks NBA Trades Heat Up: Stewart Dealt, LaMelo Shopped LaMelo Ball Traded To Wolves In Blockbuster Deal Reporting on the Kawhi Leonard trade talks comes from ESPN and Yahoo Sports.
