Despite an ongoing investigation, the Clippers and Raptors expect to go through with the Kawhi trade.
Earlier this offseason, the Los Angeles Clippers and Toronto Raptors agreed to a deal that sent Kawhi Leonard to the Raptors. In return, the Clippers got back Gradey Dick, Brandon Ingram, and multiple draft picks.
Even though the trade was agreed to, the trade has been put on pause by the NBA because of the ongoing investigation on the Clippers and Kawhi Leonard. The Clippers organization is being investigated for salary cap circumvention, which is tied to a $28 million endorsement deal for Leonard.
There is no timetable for when this situation will be resolved, but it could take as long as 2027. Still, both sides want to go through with the trade but an arbitration process could impact their ability to do so.
Courtesy of Kirby LeeThere could be potential punishments Kawhi Leonard could face once the investigation is over, and the Raptors may not want to be involved in those issues.
Potential Punishments for Kawhi
The punishment Kawhi Leonard could face varies depending on how concrete the evidence is. Leonard could get anywhere from a big fine to his contract voided with the Clippers. If both teams decided to go through with the trade without the league's notice, the Raptors would have been the team responsible for the punishment.
Another realistic punishment Leonard could face is a big suspension. A suspension would put this trade in an interesting spot depending on when the investigation concludes. If the process goes into 2027, an investigation could prevent Leonard from seeing the court for almost all of next season.
Obstacles like these make the trade process challenging, but patience from both sides could benefit them in the end. The Clippers are not in a position to make a deep playoff run, and the absence of Kawhi will not be detrimental to the team. As for the Raptors, they are making this move to get farther in the playoffs, but they too could afford to be patient.
Courtesy of Stephen LewLast season, the Toronto Raptors took the Cleveland Cavaliers to seven games in the first round of the playoffs, and it was clear their roster was one or two pieces away from making a serious run for the NBA Championship.
Both teams can afford to let this deal be delayed given their situations, and now they're waiting on a ruling from the NBA. Both teams are now playing a waiting game, and it will be interesting to see how much a delay in the trade affects Kawhi Leonard if it runs through the start of the season.
