Kawhi Leonard Returns to Toronto Raptors in Blockbuster Trade From LA Clippers

After leaving the Toronto Raptors in 2019 free agency, two-time NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard is back. On Tuesday, the LA Clippers agreed to trade their franchise player to Toronto in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first round picks, two second-round picks and one pick swap, per ESPN's Shams Charania.

Delivering Toronto its first title in franchise history in 2019, Leonard appeared in 60 games that season before turning in a historic playoff run. Averaging 30.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in the 2019 playoffs, Leonard scored 732 total points in that run, which is third all-time behind only Michael Jordan and LeBron James. It of course ended in his second career Finals MVP award, but that would be his lone season north of the border, as arguably the most prolific free agency battle in recent history would shortly ensue, and Leonard would choose the Clippers over Toronto and the Los Angeles Lakers. 

In the seven seasons since, Leonard has made four All-Star teams and four All-NBA teams. However, he has also missed an entire season due to ACL surgery, and spent extended time out of the lineup in both the regular season and postseason with different injuries.

This is largely why, at 35 years old and coming off a career-high scoring season, Leonard is motivated to land what could be his last lucrative multi-year contract extension. And with the Clippers not being willing to offer him the max, it was only a matter of time before the two sides began working together on a deal out of LA.

That deal has taken place, and in one of the more remarkable transactions in recent NBA history, Leonard returns to the place he left seven years ago. At that time, not only was Leonard forming a superstar duo with Paul George, who was coming off a career year himself, but he was doing so at home.

A Southern California native, Leonard largely targeted the Clippers in free agency due to their proximity to his hometown of Moreno Valley, California. With his family and friends in the area, Leonard has enjoyed playing in his hometown, but will now be returning to Toronto where he hopes to help deliver the Raptors their second NBA title.

For the Clippers, it is the end of an era that produced just three playoff series wins. One of those came in 2021 when the team advanced to its first Western Conference Finals in franchise history while Leonard was sidelined. His play in that semifinals series was critical to LA advancing, but that is the farthest he would go as a Clipper.