There was another blockbuster trade in the National Basketball Association. This time between the Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers. On Tuesday, according to TSN, the Clippers have traded small forward Kawhi Leonard of Los Angeles, California to the Raptors for small forward Brandon Ingram of Kinston, North Carolina and shooting guard Gradey Dick of Wichita, Kansas. The Clippers will also receive first round picks in 2031 and 2033, and second round picks in 2030 and 2033. Toronto and Los Angeles will also have pick swaps in 2027.
Leonard previously played for the Raptors in 2018-19. He was also with the San Antonio Spurs from 2011 to 2018, and with the Clippers from 2019 to 2026.
The season Leonard had with the Raptors in 2018-19 was a magical one. He guided the Raptors to their only NBA Finals title in the history of the franchise as Toronto beat the Golden State Warriors in six games. A seven-time NBA All-Star, Leonard was the NBA Finals MVP for the second time in his career, as he also received the honour with the Spurs in 2014.
Throughout his career, Leonard has been known as a defensive specialist. He was the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2014-15, and 2015-16. While with the Spurs in 2014-15, Leonard led the NBA with 2.3 steals per game.
The acquisition of Leonard comes with a risk. He missed the 2021-22 NBA season because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament, and did not play more than 68 games in a season during his time with the Clippers.
Leonard is still playing basketball at a high level. He averaged a career-high 27.9 points per game in 2025-26 as he was selected as an All-Star for the seventh time in his career. Leonard also had 6.4 rebounds per game, 3.6 assists per game and 1.9 steals per game. He had a field goal percentage of .505, three point percentage of .387 and a free throw percentage of .892.
Ingram is a two-time NBA All-Star. He is joining his fourth NBA franchise after three seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers (2016 to 2019), six seasons with the New Orleans Pelicans (2019 to 2025), and one season with the Raptors (2025 to 2026).
In 77 games in 2025-26, Ingram averaged 21.5 points per game, 5.6 rebounds per game, and 3.7 assists per game. He had a field goal percentage of .477, three point percentage of .382 and a free throw percentage of .820.
