In the latest chapter of the Kawhi Leonard trade saga, the Clippers’ forward has supposedly knocked the San Antonio Spurs out of the equation, and as per Shams Charania, the only contender for a non Los Angeles trade would be the Toronto Raptors.
Previously, Jake Fischer had reported that this was a two-horse race between the Spurs and the Raptors if a trade were to occur, but now, it looks like Kawhi’s preferences have changed circumstances. Charania clarified that the Clippers had, at this point,
not offered Kawhi a “long term extension”, which the Raptors have indicated interest in doing. This would make all the difference in trade talks, as the forward, with one year left on his contract, would likely be a part of a sign and trade with the Raptors.
The situation is developing quickly, as over the weekend, an initial round of negotiations occurred between the Raptors and the Clippers as the two teams attempted to work out a mutually beneficial agreement. Charania noted that the Clippers are attempting to inject more youth into their team, part of what prompts this potential departure from the Leonard era in Los Angeles. The Clippers’ bevy of big names have departed over recent years, with Russell Westbrook, Paul George, James Harden, and Ivica Zubac all being traded by, or independently departing from, the Clippers, leaving Leonard as the final star left from before the 2025-26 season.
While the Raptors have indicated an interest in forming a trade package around Ingram, the Clippers’ are apparently interested in a much more valuable piece to the Raptors. Tomer Azarly for ClutchPoints reported that the Clippers would instead be interested in Collin Murray-Boyles in a trade with Toronto, seeking not only the All-Rookie talent, but potentially draft capital as part of compensation for parting with the two-time Finals MVP.
With the Clippers seemingly less than enthused at the prospect of trading for Brandon Ingram, it remains to be seen what a potential trade package for Leonard would look like, which would allow both parties to be satisfied. The Raptors giving up Murray-Boyles would be a blow to their roster construction, with Jakob Poeltl’s injury history and the team’s general lack of frontcourt depth. The Raptors have not offered the sophomore up, but it remains to be seen what players and picks could be bundled together in an enticing trade package.
