Kawhi Leonard trade to Toronto Raptors delayed by NBA investigation

Kawhi Leonard isn’t going to Toronto just yet.

Last week, Leonard’s Los Angeles Clippers agreed to a trade that would send him to the Toronto Raptors, where he won a championship in 2019. However, the trade is reportedly on hold until the NBA’s investigation into the Clippers is complete.

Leonard is accused of receiving off-the-books money through an apparent endorsement deal to help the Clippers circumvent the salary cap.

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Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers looks on during the first half of the preseason game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Climate Pledge Arena on October 03, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. The Los Angeles Clippers won 102-97. (Alika Jenner/Getty Images)

“For the past 10 months, our organization has fully cooperated with an NBA investigation, participating in dozens of interviews, providing tens of thousands of documents, and facilitating access to our staff. While the process has been challenging, we have remained committed to transparency,” the Clippers said in a statement to ESPN.

“On June 30, we reached an agreement in principle to trade Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors. We have since been informed that the trade can only be finalized if the Raptors’ ownership group assumes the risk of penalties related to Kawhi’s contract that could theoretically result from the ongoing investigation.

“The investigation is ongoing, and we expect the trade to be finalized following its conclusion.”

In the statement, the Clippers denied any wrongdoing.

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) dunks against the Chicago Bulls during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Jan. 10, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

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“We did not funnel money to Kawhi Leonard through Aspiration. Like many sophisticated investors, financial institutions, and business partners, we were victims of a fraud initiated by [Aspiration co-founder Joe] Sanberg, who has been convicted and sentenced to 14 years in prison,” the team said.

“We recognize the uncertainty this has created and the impact it has had on our team, our fans, the Raptors organization, their fans, and the players whose futures remain affected while this process continues. We remain confident that, when the facts are evaluated fairly and thoroughly, the NBA will confirm exactly what we have said from the beginning: We have not done what we are accused of doing.”

The Raptors said to ESPN they “would assume the risk of any potential outcome” of the investigation and “will wait until the league’s investigation is complete.”

“The Raptors remain eager to bring Kawhi back to Toronto and look forward to a swift resolution for our players, our organization, and our fans,” they said.

Leonard remains under contract through 2027 and is set to earn more than $50 million next season. According to reports, he also hopes to sign a two-year, $126.1 million extension that would allow him to finish his career in Canada.

Kawhi Leonard, center, of the LA Clippers looks on from the bench in street clothes against of the Phoenix Suns in the first half of game 3 of a first round NBA playoff basketball game at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Thursday, April 20, 2023. (Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)

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The Raptors agreed to part with forward Brandon Ingram, guard Gradey Dick, two future first-round picks, a first-round pick swap, and two second-round picks.

Outkick’s Alejandro Avila contributed to this report.

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