​The proposed Kawhi Leonard trade to Toronto remains on hold while the NBA conducts its investigation into whether the Los Angeles Clippers violated salary-cap rules, the Raptors announced on Thursday. The team said the NBA league office informed them that, due to the ongoing inquiry involving the Clippers, they would assume the risk that any potential outcome of the investigation could affect Kawhi Leonard. As a result, the Raptors stated they would pause any further action until the league completes its review.
There is currently no timetable for the conclusion of the probe, which is being conducted with outside counsel handling the matter. The NBA declined to comment on Thursday. The investigation was opened in September to determine whether a $28 million endorsement deal between Leonard and Aspiration Fund Adviser LLC — a company that filed for bankruptcy earlier this year — violated league rules, following a report by journalist Pablo Torre.
The Raptors expressed continued enthusiasm about bringing Kawhi back to Toronto and emphasized their desire for a swift resolution that would benefit the players, the organization, and the fans. Earlier this month, the Raptors and Clippers reached an agreement on a trade that would send Leonard back to the city where he helped lead the 2019 championship run.
Under the proposed deal, Toronto would send Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, two second-round picks, and pick swaps to the Clippers in exchange for Leonard—who spent one season in Toronto, the year the Raptors captured their lone title. Leonard, who turned 35 earlier this month, reached the highest scoring season of his career last year, averaging 27.9 points per game over 65 appearances for the Clippers. A seven-time All-Star and seven-time All-NBA selection, Leonard is a two-time NBA champion, with a championship run also in 2014 with San Antonio, and he is widely regarded as one of the premier defensive players in the game.