Clippers-Raptors trade winners and losers as Kawhi deal becomes official

The NBA trade involving the Los Angeles Clippers and the Toronto Raptors is official, according to ESPN. Kawhi Leonard is being sent to Toronto, while the Clippers received forward Brandon Ingram, guard Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks (2031, 2033), two second-round picks (2030, 2033),

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What is the story about?

The NBA trade involving the Los Angeles Clippers and the Toronto Raptors is official, according to ESPN.

Kawhi Leonard is being sent to Toronto, while the Clippers received forward Brandon Ingram, guard Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks (2031, 2033), two second-round picks (2030, 2033), and a 2027 first-round swap in the trade.

The trade was initially agreed on and reported on June 30, 2026. The teams acknowledged the deal but held off on following through because of the ongoing investigation into the Clippers for salary cap circumvention that involved Leonard.

The NBA announced disciplinary action against the Clippers on Sept. 2, after an external law firm completed enough of its investigation and shared its findings with NBA commissioner

Adam Silver.

As a result, the Clippers were given a $30 million fine and have to forfeit five first-round draft picks (2029–2033). Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and two of the team’s top executives were given suspensions.

Kawhi Leonard of the Toronto Raptors reacts against the Golden State Warriors in the first half during Game Five of the 2019 NBA Finals at Scotiabank Arena on June 10, 2019, in Toronto, Canada.

Clippers-Raptors trade winners

Kawhi Leonard

The two-time Finals MVP is among the biggest winners. He managed to get out of Los Angeles and return to a place he’s familiar with in Toronto. He also received very little in terms of punishment from the NBA, being fined $700,000. The Raptors are expected to offer Leonard a contract extension.

Clippers

The team needs to hit the restart button, considering the loss of picks as a result of the investigation findings. The trade helps ease the burden of not having to go without too many first-round picks in the future.

Clippers-Raptors trade losers

Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick

The pair are among the biggest losers in the deal. They were left in limbo, spending most of the summer wondering what their basketball future would look like for the upcoming season and potentially beyond.

Ingram is expected to have a player option for the 2027-28 season.

Ingram is coming off a season wherein he averaged 21.5 points on 47.7% shooting from the field across 77 games played. Dick played in 76 games in his third season, averaging six points and 1.9 rebounds.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Clippers-Raptors trade winners and losers as Kawhi deal becomes official