Raptors make major commitment to Kawhi Leonard

The Raptors acquired Leonard from the Los Angeles Clippers in a blockbuster trade on June 30. However, the trade couldn’t officially be completed until the NBA’s investigation into the Clippers was over.

The investigation ended with the Clippers accepting massive penalties, and the trade was finalized. Leonard went to Toronto with all of Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, two second-round picks and a pick swap going back to LA.

The discussions had taken place all the way back in July when the trade was first agreed to, although they had to wait for the investigation to end to put pen to paper. NBA insider Jake Fischer had reported recently that the traction for a deal was growing, and now it is official.

Leonard was instrumental in bringing the Raptors their first-ever NBA Finals title in 2019, and he was also named Finals MVP that year. He had signed with the Clippers that summer, but he now returns to Toronto.

Leonard also has a base salary of $50.3 million this season, which would bring his total to $165 million over three years. He also took approximately $11 million less than what it would’ve been on a maximum deal, and the expectation is that Leonard finishes his NBA career with Toronto.