Kawhi Leonard is reportedly discussing a lucrative contract extension with the Toronto Raptors just days after the NBA approved his delayed trade from the Los Angeles Clippers, according to reports from sports outlets covering the transaction. The 35-year-old forward could be in line for a two-year, $126 million deal as the franchise moves quickly to cement his future in Canada.
The reported extension talks follow a turbulent summer for the two-time NBA champion. On Monday, the NBA officially approved a blockbuster trade sending Leonard back to the Toronto Raptors, the team where he captured the 2019 title. In return, the Los Angeles Clippers acquired All-Star forward Brandon Ingram, guard Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round draft picks in 2031 and 2033, a 2027 first-round pick swap, and two second-round picks, according to reports from The Canadian Press.
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The transaction had been stalled for months while the league investigated Leonard and the Clippers for salary-cap circumvention. On Sept. 2, the NBA concluded its investigation by handing Leonard a $700,000 fine while declining to suspend him or void his contract. The league dealt harsher penalties to the Clippers, stripping the franchise of five first-round picks spanning 2029 through 2033, issuing a $30 million fine, and suspending owner Steve Ballmer and president of business operations Gillian Zucker for one year, alongside a six-month suspension for president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank.
Despite the administrative hurdles, Raptors general manager and executive vice-president Bobby Webster expressed immediate enthusiasm about the roster addition. “We’re thrilled to welcome Kawhi back to Toronto,” Webster said in a statement reported by The Canadian Press. “His impact on our organization, our city, and our country is undeniable, and he embodies the competitiveness and championship mindset that we value.”
Leonard is slated to address reporters on Sept. 28 during Toronto’s official media day. Although the deal was frozen during the league’s probe, Leonard, Ingram, and Dick integrated themselves into their respective new environments as much as league rules permitted. Leonard notably sat in the front row on July 7 at the OVO Athletic Centre as Kyle Lowry signed a one-day contract to officially retire as a member of the Raptors.
On the hardwood, Leonard remains one of the league’s most potent two-way threats when healthy. Last season with the Clippers, he averaged 27.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.9 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game. He joins a Raptors defensive unit that finished the 2025–26 campaign with the fifth-best defensive rating in the NBA.
Meanwhile, the Raptors parted ways with significant young talent and veteran production. Ingram averaged 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists last season before suffering a right heel injury 11 minutes into Game 5 of Toronto’s first-round playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, which required surgery on May 8. Dick experienced a reduced role in his third professional season, averaging six points, 1.9 rebounds, and 0.7 assists across 14 minutes per game.
“We also want to thank Brandon and Gradey and appreciate their work ethic, character, and basketball excellence they brought to our team every day,” Webster said.
As the franchise prepares for training camp and the upcoming regular-season schedule, attention shifts to whether the reported two-year, $126 million extension will be finalized. Leonard stated recently that he does not wish to play for countless franchises throughout his career, indicating that his return to Toronto could culminate in a permanent home to finish his storied career.
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