The Los Angeles Clippers–Toronto Raptors trade that sends Kawhi Leonard back to Toronto was put on pause pending the NBA’s investigation into whether Los Angeles circumvented salary cap rules, both teams said on July 9, in statements to ESPN.
“We have since been informed that the trade can only be finalized if the Raptors’ ownership group assumes the risk of penalties related to Kawhi’s contract that could theoretically result from the ongoing investigation,” the Clippers said. “The investigation is ongoing, and we expect the trade to be finalized following its conclusion.”
The NBA began investigating the Clippers in September 2025 after a report alleged that the organization paid Leonard additional money in 2021 through a $28 million endorsement contract between Leonard and Aspiration Fund Adviser, a now-bankrupt California-based sustainability services company….