Trade Package for Kawhi Leonard May Be Altered After Investigation Conclusion

Now that the year-long investigation involving seven-time All-Star Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers has finally concluded, it’s time to get down to business for Toronto Raptors general manager Bobby Webster. The trade sending two-time All-Star Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, and draft compensation to LA has yet to be finalized, and there is little time to waste. 

Media Day is just 22 days away, with training camp following the next day in Quebec City. It’s widely expected that the two franchises will get the deal done soon, along with Leonard signing an extension immediately after. However, now that the Clippers have received such a substantial punishment, some are beginning to ponder whether Webster should rethink his offer. 

Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and his organization were stripped of five first-round picks after being convicted of salary cap circumvention. In the proposed deal with Toronto, they were set to receive two first-round picks, two second-round picks, and one first-round pick swap. The absolute last thing the league wants is to have Leonard remain with the Clippers after this entire ordeal, so they are going to be desperate to receive any draft compensation they can get from this point on. 

What people are forgetting is this isn’t a video game; this is real-life business with millions and even billions of dollars on the line. If Webster were to pull out of the proposed deal just because he knows the team is desperate after receiving a detrimental punishment, he runs the risk of LA looking elsewhere to deal the two-time Finals MVP. Even worse, there would also be a real chance of never being able to do business with the Clippers again.

Toronto has a reputation to uphold throughout the negotiations. The Raptors have been known to be a very professional organization and take things slow. Several teams rush into trades or make deals that don’t benefit the players, but the Raptors and their fans have generally been known to take good care of their players both during their tenure and after their departure. The one main exception would be when former executive Masai Ujiri shipped DeMar DeRozan to the San Antonio Spurs after specifically telling him he wouldn’t be traded. At the end of the day, he may have risked his relationship with one of the franchise legends, but it paid off as Toronto was able to immediately win its first and only championship with Leonard, whom the Raptors got in return.