Another blockbuster trade has been completed this offseason. Seven years after delivering Toronto its first championship, Kawhi Leonard is headed back to the Raptors in a blockbuster that reunites one of the greatest player-franchise pairings.
The Raptors are acquiring the two-time Finals MVP from the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, a future pick swap, and two second-round picks, ending an era in Los Angeles that has to be labelled a complete disappointment.
The move also comes after Leonard and the Clippers reportedly failed to reach an agreement on a contract extension. While Kawhi helped keep the Clippers relevant in a loaded Western Conference, injuries defined his six seasons with the franchise.
The championship expectations that accompanied his arrival alongside Paul George were false, and it makes a ton of sense for the Clippers to reset completely and for all.
For Toronto, this is huge. The Raptors are bringing back the player who led the greatest season in franchise history, hoping he can once again lead a talented young core, headed by Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett, into playoff contention. It also seems that Leonard is ready to end his career in Toronto, a fitting end.
The Clippers, meanwhile, acquire a younger All-Star talent in Brandon Ingram to pair with Darius Garland while fixing their future with valuable draft picks. Let’s grade this blockbuster trade.
Toronto Raptors: A-
Toronto is taking a gamble that the version of Kawhi Leonard who remains healthy is still one of the NBA’s best two-way players. At 35, Leonard is not the same player he used to be, although he had a strong season in 2025-26 by averaging 27.9 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 3.6 APG, 1.9 SPG, and 0.4 BPG on 50.5% FG, 38.7% 3-PT FG, and 89.2% FT. He appeared in 65 games, the most since the 2023-24 season (68 games).
Pairing him with Scottie Barnes gives the Raptors arguably one of the league’s best duos. The Raptors also didn’t have to sacrifice Scottie Barnes or any of their other young talent.
Brandon Ingram is a good player, but Leonard is a different level of talent. Toronto’s front office is clearly signaling that it’s ready to compete immediately in a wide-open Eastern Conference next season.
The only reason this isn’t a perfect grade is health. Leonard has missed significant time in recent years, and giving up two first-round picks plus a swap carries heavy risk. Leonard has only played at least 65 games once (2023-24) since the 2016-17 season.
Still, championship windows rarely open without taking chances, and Toronto knows better than anyone what Kawhi is capable of.
Los Angeles Clippers: A
After failing to agree on their future with Leonard, the Los Angeles Clippers wisely avoided the possibility of losing him for nothing while acquiring a younger All-Star in his prime. Brandon Ingram is capable of averaging well over 20 points while creating shots at all three levels alongside Darius Garland.
Last season, Ingram averaged 21.5 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 3.7 APG, 0.8 SPG, and 0.7 BPG on 47.7% FG, 38.2% 3-PT FG, and 82.0% FT in 77 games. He is only 28 years old as well, meaning he is right in his prime.
Gradey Dick is another strong pickup, as the shooting guard averaged 6.0 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 0.7 APG, 0.6 SPG, and 0.1 BPG on 41.9% FG last season. The year before, he posted 14.4 PPG, 3.6 RPG, and 1.8 APG on 41.0% FG, so the 22-year-old has some time to hit new highs.
The additional draft picks are just as important. The Clippers have gone all-in too many times, so their future looks bleak. Recovering multiple first-round picks, second-round picks, and a future swap gives the organization much-needed flexibility moving forward.
The downside is obvious. Leonard remains the better player when healthy, and replacing one of the NBA’s greatest playoff performers is nearly impossible.
Not to mention, Kawhi sells tickets even if he doesn’t play. He is the face of the franchise. Still, retooling was the right move by the Clippers.
Kawhi Leonard: A
What a fairytale for the Raptors’ greatest player. Leonard returns to the city where he cemented his legacy, winning the 2019 NBA championship while having one of the greatest postseason runs ever. In the 2019 playoffs, Leonard averaged 30.5 PPG, 9.1 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.7 SPG, and 0.7 BPG while eventually capturing Finals MVP against the Warriors.
Toronto understands exactly how to build around him, and Leonard already knows what it takes to succeed with them. Unlike his first stint, however, he won’t have to carry the franchise.
Scottie Barnes is an All-Star, giving Kawhi another versatile playmaker capable of handling the pressure. That should help preserve Leonard physically throughout the regular season while allowing him to peak in the playoffs.
If Leonard can remain healthy (a big fat “if”), this has the potential to become one of the most epic reunions in recent NBA history. Leonard means a ton to the city of Toronto, and he will be welcomed with open arms.
Brandon Ingram: A-
A fresh start may be exactly what Brandon Ingram needs. Moving to Los Angeles gives Ingram an opportunity to become the centerpiece of a franchise entering a new era.
Instead of constantly facing questions about whether he is a difference-maker, he’ll have every opportunity to prove himself as the Clippers’ offensive leader.
Last season, Ingram averaged 21.5 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 3.7 APG, 0.8 SPG, and 0.7 BPG on 47.7% FG, 38.2% 3-PT FG, and 82.0% FT in 77 games. His playoff performances weren’t great, averaging only 12.0 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.2 APG, 0.6 SPG, and 0.8 BPG on 32.8% FG, 38.5% 3-PT FG, and 73.9% FT. That was probably the reason the Raptors were happy to move on from him.
Still, Ingram is one of the league’s better mid-range shotmakers while continuing to improve as a playmaker. In a new environment, he could enjoy some of the most productive seasons of his career.
There’s naturally pressure replacing a player like Kawhi Leonard, but Ingram isn’t being asked to replace him completely. Just hold your own and earn some wins alongside Darius Gatland moving forward.
Scottie Barnes: A
Scottie Barnes is another major winner. For the first time in his career, Barnes gets to play alongside a proven championship-winning superstar.
Rather than carrying the offensive burden every night (18.1 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 5.9 APG, 1.4 SPG, and 1.5 BPG on 50.7% FG, 30.4% 3-PT FG, and 81.5% FT), Barnes could settle into a more natural role as a secondary creator, allowing his all-around game to flourish.
Leonard is one of the greatest two-way forwards of his generation, and Barnes has long been viewed as a player with a similar game. Learning the nuances of playoff preparation from Kawhi daily could make Barnes an entirely different star.
Barnes is still the Raptors’ long-term future, but now he doesn’t have to carry the pressure of leading a contender by himself. Instead, he can grow alongside Leonard while competing for championships immediately.
If Kawhi stays healthy, Barnes could have the deepest playoff run of his career while continuing to grow into an All-NBA star. This is an easy A outcome for the 24-year-old forward.
