It took some time and a soap opera of drama, but the Los Angeles Clippers and Toronto Raptors have finally agreed to complete the trade that will send star Kawhi Leonard back to Canada, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Monday.
Done deal: The LA Clippers and Raptors have both agreed to complete the trade sending Kawhi Leonard to Toronto for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks, one first-round pick swap and two second-rounders, per ESPN sources. The sides will now schedule a trade call.
The two sides had previously agreed to the trade way back on June 30, but then paused the transaction to await the verdict of the NBA’s investigation into the Clippers and Leonard for salary cap circumvention. That hammer dropped on Sept. 2 when the NBA hit the Clippers with heavy sanctions, including the docking of five first-round draft picks.
However, the fallout for Leonard from the saga was relatively minor, including a $700,000 fine and no suspension. With that hang-up out of the way, Toronto and Los Angeles have now agreed to complete the previously reported trade at its previously reported price.
This news comes just a day after Clippers owner Steve Ballmer released a statement saying the organization has communicated to the NBA that it will comply with the league-assessed penalties and it is committed to moving past this chapter.
“This has been a very difficult time for everybody associated with the Clippers, and for that, I have sincere regrets. I want to apologize to our fans, employees, and my fellow NBA team owners for the distraction and distress this matter has caused, for which I accept responsibility as principal owner.
“We are committing to put this chapter behind us. We have communicated to the NBA that we are complying with the penalties assessed by the league, have paid the fine, and are moving forward.”
