Clippers status uncertain now that Raptors 'will wait' on Kawhi trade
· Yahoo Sports
The NBA’s investigation into how the Los Angeles Clippers paid Kawhi Leonard continues to keep his return to the Toronto Raptors in limbo.
The league is looking to see if the Clippers circumvented the salary cap to pay Leonard through a $28 million endorsement deal that he signed in 2022 with the now-bankrupt green banking company, Aspiration.
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Toronto is trying to trade Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, a 2027 first-round pick swap and two second-round selections to the Clippers.
Leonard led the Raptors to their one and only NBA championship in 2019.
The investigation could spill over into 2027, according to multiple reports. The Clippers and Raptors agreed to the trade on June 30 that has since been put on hold.
Toronto released a statement on July 30 addressing the situation.
“Regarding our planned trade with the L.A. Clippers for Kawhi Leonard, the NBA league office informed us that as a result of the ongoing investigation involving the Clippers, we would assume the risk of any potential outcome of the investigation impacting Kawhi.
"In light of this, we will wait until the league's investigation is complete.
"The Raptors remain eager to bring Kawhi back to Toronto and look forward to a swift resolution for our players, our organization, and our fans.”
Leonard averaged a career-high 27.9 points last season in 65 games, earning All-NBA second-team honors, but the Clippers finished ninth in the West and didn’t reach the postseason.
The Golden State Warriors knocked off the Clippers in the NBA Play-In Tournament.
The Phoenix Suns then eliminated the Warriors in the play-in for the eighth seed, and the Oklahoma City Thunder swept the Suns in the first round.
Leonard averaged 26 points in his two games against the Suns last season. The Clippers won both games by an average of 25.5 points.
Los Angeles went 37-28 with Leonard, 5-12 without him. One of the NBA’s best players, Leonard is a difference-maker, with health being his major issue.
The Clippers look to move forward without Leonard, but they may have to begin the 2026-27 season with him. This might impact teams such as the Golden State Warriors, Portland Trail Blazers, Dallas Mavericks and Suns, all of whom may be vying for the play-in along with the Clippers in the very brutal Western Conference.
The Suns (45-37) finished just three games ahead of the Clippers (42-40) in the West, splitting their four games with L.A.
The first three matchups were within Phoenix’s first 10 games.
The Clippers won the first meeting by 27 points at home, and the Suns took the next two.
In his first action with the Suns since being acquired in the Kevin Durant trade, Jalen Green scored 29 points, hitting a record six 3s in a 115-102 victory after missing the team’s first eight games with a right hamstring injury. He then reinjured his hamstring in the next game, at the Clippers.
The Suns and Clippers didn’t meet again until Feb. 1 for their fourth and final matchup.
Los Angeles won in Phoenix, 117-93, with Leonard scoring 25 points in that victory.
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at [email protected] or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Clippers status uncertain now that Raptors 'will wait' on Kawhi trade