Raptors Make Coaching Announcement After Kawhi Leonard Trade

Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2)© Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Raptors Make Coaching Announcement After Kawhi Leonard Trade

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Ayomide Adeduyite | Last updated Jul 2, 2026 11:25 AM ET

On Tuesday, the Toronto Raptors completed a blockbuster trade to reacquire Kawhi Leonard from the Los Angeles Clippers, reuniting with the superstar who led the franchise to its lone NBA championship in 2019. The deal sent Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and multiple future draft picks to Los Angeles in exchange for the two-time NBA Finals MVP.

Leonard returns to Toronto after arguably the finest regular season of his career. The seven-time All-Star averaged a career-high 27.9 points, along with 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists over 65 games, earning All-NBA Second Team honors. He now joins a Raptors squad that finished 46-36 last season, returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2022 and pushed the Cleveland Cavaliers to seven games in the first round behind a young core led by Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett.

Toronto Raptors guard Fred VanVleet (23), guard Kyle Lowry (7), forward Kawhi Leonard (2) and center Serge Ibaka (9) celebrates after beating the Golden State Warriors in game six of the 2019 NBA Finals at Oracle Arena.Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

While the roster underwent a dramatic makeover, the Raptors were also facing an important decision on the sidelines. On Thursday, the organization announced it had reached a multi-year contract extension with head coach Darko Rajakovic.

“The Toronto Raptors announced Thursday that they have agreed to a multi-year extension with head coach Darko Rajaković.”

Extended

The Toronto Raptors announced Thursday that they have agreed to a multi-year extension with head coach Darko Rajaković. pic.twitter.com/abSxloTey7
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) July 2, 2026

Rajakovic joined the Raptors ahead of the 2023-24 season after serving as an assistant with the Memphis Grizzlies and Phoenix Suns. Over three seasons in Toronto, he has overseen the franchise’s rebuilding process while helping develop Barnes and its young core. His third campaign proved to be his most successful, as the Raptors finished fifth in the Eastern Conference and made their first playoff appearance in four years.

The extension also sets up a new challenge for Rajakovic. For the first time in his NBA head coaching career, he will coach a bona fide superstar in Leonard. After spending his first three seasons developing a young roster, Rajakovic now inherits a proven championship-caliber player. With Leonard back in Canada and Rajakovic secured for the long term, the Raptors have made it clear they believe their championship window has reopened.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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