“You can’t rush greatness,” Leonard told reporters regarding his path back to full strength following an injury-plagued final stretch with the Los Angeles Clippers last season. Despite any lingering rust, his production was immediate: Leonard dropped a team-high 23 points to go along with six rebounds and two assists in his debut.

The Raptors looked poised to handle mid-tier contenders like the Bulls, who never found their footing on the floor at Scotiabank Arena. With multiple struggles in the defense, Chicago showed a hard performance to watch by the supporters.

While standard season-opening drama unspooled elsewhere—like Anthony Edwards’ heated exchange with the Miami bench—Toronto’s focus remained squarely on the floor, betting big that a healthy Leonard can anchor another deep run.

What the Raptors had that the Bulls missed in season opener

The Raptors imposed suffocating perimeter pressure, racking up 14 steals and six blocks while forcing 27 Bulls turnovers that directly yielded 35 points on the break. Chicago’s ball-handlers were completely overwhelmed by Toronto’s long-limbed defense, leading to a lopsided 34–13 fast-break scoring margin.

Offensively, the Raptors displayed elite floor spacing and balanced execution, led by 23-point performances from Kawhi Leonard, Scottie Barnes, and Immanuel Quickley. In stark contrast, Chicago suffered a complete breakdown in perimeter shooting, finishing an abysmal 4-for-36 (11.1%) from three-point range. Lacking rhythm in their half-court sets, the Bulls repeatedly settled for contested jumpers and forced drives into a crowded paint.

Toronto’s superior depth and defensive versatility allowed them to establish control early, exploding for 43 points in the first quarter and building a lead as large as 29 points before halftime.

Key takeaways

• Kawhi Leonard scored 23 points as Toronto defeated Chicago 135–92 in their season opener.
• Leonard told reporters “you can’t rush greatness” regarding his recovery back to full strength.
• Toronto forced 27 turnovers while Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley each added 23 points.

Head coach Darko Rajakovic was asked about player availability for Tuesday night’s exhibition after Monday’s practice. “[Leonard] went through practice today,” said Rajakovic. “He’s feeling great. So yes, he’s going to be available for the game tomorrow.”

While it remains unclear roughly how many minutes he will play if he suits up, his impact on both ends of the floor is inevitable and necessary for the Raptors’ success in 2027. His presence alone elevates those around him, though a minute restriction is certainly expected.

Kawhi’s fit with the Raptors

Toronto will boast a ferocious defense with Leonard, Scottie Barnes, and Collin Murray-Boyles. The Eastern Conference is stacked, and it will be fun to watch all year as the Raptors enter the conversation for a deep postseason run.

Health will be a major factor for this squad, particularly whether it can stay healthy throughout the grind of a season. Leonard played 65 games for the Clippers last season while averaging 27.9 points per game. He looked like the old Kawhi Leonard and earned All-NBA Second Team honors.

Expectations for Kawhi and the Raptors

The Raptors are one of the Eastern Conference’s risers, and Leonard only makes them more of a threat in 2026-2027. During his first go-round in Toronto in 2018-2019, Leonard posted averages of 26.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in 60 games, leading them to an NBA championship.

Following that lone season in Toronto, Leonard played six seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers, averaging 25.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists over that stretch.

The 14-year NBA veteran has aged seven years since his last NBA Finals run, but he remains an MVP-caliber player at this stage of his career. On Tuesday, the Knicks could get a small sample size of what he will bring to the table in Toronto.

Key takeaways

• Darko Rajakovic confirmed Kawhi Leonard is available against the New York Knicks.
• 27.9 points per game were averaged by Kawhi Leonard across 65 games last season.
• The 2018-2019 season saw Kawhi Leonard lead the Raptors to an NBA championship.

Now, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Leonard has agreed to a two-year, $115 million contract extension with the franchise. The deal also includes a player option for the 2028-29 season.

The 35-year-old, two-time NBA champion now has a total of three years and $165 million on his Raptors deal. Ultimately, Kawhi got his way by joining the franchise he desired without receiving major discipline from the NBA, which received support from Steph Curry, and landing a massive contract that makes the league’s fine feel insignificant.

Leonard returns to Toronto

The Toronto Raptors acquired Kawhi Leonard from the LA Clippers during the offseason in exchange for a high-value package that included Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks (2031 and 2033), a 2027 first-round pick swap, and two future second-round picks (2030 and 2033).

Both sides agreed to the deal in June, but the NBA’s investigation into the Clippers’ salary cap circumvention scandal delayed its finalization for months. The transaction was completed shortly after Clippers owner Steve Ballmer issued a statement apologizing and taking full responsibility for his team’s violations regarding Leonard, which resulted in the most severe punishment in NBA history.

Kawhi Leonard returns to his former stage and will once again lead the Toronto Raptors in this second stint. He is remembered for leading the franchise to its first NBA title in the 2018-19 season, delivering one of the most epic single-season runs in sports history before returning home to Los Angeles.

Last season, Leonard averaged career highs of 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game in 65 contests, providing a decisive boost to Toronto’s title aspirations alongside Scottie Barnes, a key pillar of the team.

Key takeaways

• A two-year, $115 million extension was agreed upon with Toronto by Kawhi Leonard.
• Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick were traded to Los Angeles in the transaction.
• Salary cap circumvention violations delayed finalization following an NBA investigation.

According to The Stein Line’s Jake Fischer, the Raptors and Leonard have engaged in advanced discussions and are closing in on an extension agreement, following the punishments made by the NBA.

While specific terms have not been finalized, Fischer notes that Leonard is eligible for a maximum two-year extension worth up to $126 million. Coming off the league’s high-profile investigation into his former team’s cap practices, securing a deal of that caliber would represent a massive financial commitment by Toronto for the veteran superstar.

As fellow stars like Stephen Curry weigh in on the league’s sanctions against the Los Angeles Clippers, anticipation builds over how the situation will develop, especially with potential legal issues looming in the background as Leonard takes the floor for Toronto.

Leonard’s past contract and highlights with the Raptors

Leonard’s original tenure with the Raptors remains one of the most iconic single-season runs in NBA history, defined by load-management precision, dominant play, and the franchise’s first NBA title.

At the time, Leonard was in the final guaranteed season of a five-year, $94.3 million contract originally signed with San Antonio in 2015, earning $23.1 million during his 2018–19 championship campaign. The deal featured a player option for the 2019–20 season.

Following the championship run, Leonard opted out of his $21.3 million option in July 2019 to test unrestricted free agency, ultimately choosing to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers.

“Integrity and respect for this game are fundamental to who I am. I accept full responsibility for lapses in judgment by people within my inner circle and regret the distraction this situation has caused the fans and my family,” Leonard stated through his agent, as reported by NBA insider Shams Charania.

“I entered into my contract with the Clippers as well as the agreements in question in good faith, fully committed to fulfilling my obligations and with no knowledge of any intent on anyone’s part to circumvent the salary cap. For 15 years, my priority has been giving everything to my family, the game, and those I share the court with. As I return to Toronto, I am focused on what I can control, closing this chapter, and moving forward with a clean slate.”

Kawhi denies being aware of cap-circumventing antics

As Leonard made clear in his statement after the NBA‘s investigation into his Clippers contract resulted in costly sanctions for both him and his former organization, he was unaware of the team’s intentions to circumvent the salary cap. However, the NBA’s statement says otherwise, finding Leonard—or at least his then-manager, Dennis Robertson—to be a culprit.

“Mr. Leonard, through the conduct of Mr. Robertson on his behalf, violated the circumvention rules by pressuring the Clippers to assist him in obtaining off-court income opportunities, successfully obtaining those opportunities, and failing to reimburse payments by the Clippers for personal expenses,” the NBA’s official statement read.

For his alleged role in the salary-cap circumvention, the NBA handed Kawhi Leonard a $700,000 fine. Still, Leonard didn’t receive as harsh a punishment as the other parties involved in the investigation.

No suspension means Kawhi’s Toronto trade faces no danger

Leonard received no suspension, while Clippers owner Steve Ballmer (one-year suspension), President of Business Operations Gillian Zucker (one-year suspension), and President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank (six-month suspension) can’t say the same. As for Leonard’s former agent, Robertson has been banned from the NBA and its affiliates for five years.

All the while, the Clippers are subject to a compliance and monitoring program. Leonard, however, will be able to play from the start of the 2026-27 NBA season.

Thus, as he faces no suspension and must only pay the NBA roughly 1.4% of his salary for the season, his trade to the Toronto Raptors should face no danger. Kawhi himself confirmed it, stating, “As I return to Toronto…” in his open letter after the penalties were announced.

Kawhi Leonard’s contract

With all the noise surrounding Leonard’s cap-circumventing contract, many fans wonder what his actual deal looks like. Kawhi signed a three-year, $149.5 million contract with the Clippers running through the 2026-27 NBA season.

Under this deal, Leonard made an average salary of $49.8 million. During the next campaign, though back in The Six, Kawhi will be paid a guaranteed salary of $50.3 million by the franchise he led to glory back in 2019.

Michael Grange of Sportsnet recently shared what he thinks the most likely outcome of the trade will be. “A negotiated settlement where the NBA gets to enforce some version of its rules, Ballmer can save face and Leonard can play for the Raptors,” Grange wrote.

“Whether Torre’s latest finding is new information to the NBA’s investigation or not, a report in The Athletic last month said a second no-show endorsement deal was already part of the investigation, the sense is that it won’t affect the next stage of the process, namely figuring out what the league is going to do with the information it has collected.”

What remains on pause

The trade that sent Leonard to the Raptors and Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick to the Clippers is still on pause, and it won’t be completed until the investigation is possibly over. There is still a chance for things to be cleared up before training camp, which will be good for the players so they can be with their new teams.

The league is working quietly to get things resolved quickly, and according to Grange, things have moved beyond the fact-finding stage. All of this comes without even an estimated timeline for when it might reach a conclusion.

What is new in the investigation?

Things continue to be extremely complicated for Kawhi Leonard. First, Leonard was under investigation for his Aspiration sponsorship. Now, he is under suspicion for a second sponsorship.

According to Pablo Torre of Pablo Torre Finds Out, Leonard was involved in a sponsorship with the LA-based crisis firm Daktronics’ Ballmer. An NBA insider told Torre that it was a case of history repeating itself. In other words, Leonard and company were trying to defy the rules of the NBA salary cap.

According to Torre’s sources, Leonard had a hidden multimillion-dollar “sponsorship” with Daktronics. This once again raises alarms about Leonard and the Clippers, as it suggests they may have added even more money on top of his contract and the alleged Aspiration deal.

“This Kawhi deal was not only discussed by higher-ups with the Clippers to circumvent the salary cap… This second source was also told that Kawhi’s sponsorship with Daktronics was a multimillion-dollar deal,” Torre revealed on his show, Pablo Torre Finds Out.

Raptors trade still on standby

The issue surrounding Leonard stems from a curious scenario. The Clippers made an innovative shift within the franchise when construction began on Intuit Dome, their new arena. The team began using the venue in August 2024, and it has been a huge success for both the organization and the fans attending in person.

One of its biggest attractions is the massive circular screen appropriately known as the Halo Board. It is a gigantic, halo-shaped, double-sided 4K video board built by Daktronics. That company proves key because it is involved in this new controversy brought to light by Torre.

Now that Torre has brought this to light, it presents another massive problem for Leonard, the Clippers, and even the Raptors. For Toronto, the direct consequence would be failing to acquire the player they are targeting. However, the situation is far more serious for Leonard and the Clippers, as this marks their second instance of salary cap circumvention and could result in harsh penalties from the NBA if Torre’s reporting proves accurate.

Why is this a problem?

NBA rules aim to prevent teams from using alternative funding sources to provide financial advantages to their players and circumvent restrictions set by the collective bargaining agreement.

During an appearance on streamer N3ON’s stream, Dillon Brooks offered just three definitive words. During the conversation, N3ON said, “Raptors did get Kawhi.” Brooks immediately replied, “It’s not happening.”

Brooks’ comment does not provide official information regarding the trade discussions. However, it came as Toronto continues to evaluate whether to move forward while the NBA’s investigation remains open.

Why has the trade not happened?

The Toronto Raptors made a big splash this summer with the addition of Kawhi Leonard. After finishing fifth last season (46-36), the franchise is hoping that Leonard will lead it to prosperity in an increasingly competitive Eastern Conference.

But now, amid the NBA’s cap-circumvention investigation, there are doubts that the trade will even go through. Leonard, 35, was a Clipper for six years leading up to this summer.

The scandal involves a potential back-door agreement between Leonard and the Clippers to use a fraudulent tree-planting company as a front to skirt the salary cap. It was discovered that Kawhi had a $28 million no-show endorsement deal with the company, which was eventually (and indirectly) traced to team owner Steve Ballmer himself.

The risk the Raptors do not want to take

If the Raptors trade for Kawhi now, the team would be assuming all the risks that come with it, including the possibility that Leonard’s contract is voided, which would be a nightmare given what it gave up to get him. Given that fact, it makes sense for the Raptors to be hesitant about taking on Kawhi, but canceling the trade outright would be the worst possible outcome for everyone.

Kawhi’s performance

While he ultimately failed to lead the franchise to an NBA title, his impact on the floor is obvious, with averages of 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.9 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game on 50.5% shooting from the field last season. At his best, Kawhi is an elite two-way wing player who brings championship experience and powerful versatility to any lineup.

According to The Athletic’s Mike Vorkunov, the outside law firm hired by the NBA appears to have finished its work. The league must now review the findings and determine whether Leonard, the Clippers, or owner Steve Ballmer should face discipline. “The investigation, I think, is over now,” Vorkunov said. “The NBA is kind of like sifting through what the law firm they hired has found, deciding whether there’s a punishment or not that they then want to levy.”

The probe centers on allegations that Leonard‘s endorsement agreement with Aspiration—a now-bankrupt company financially connected to Ballmer—may have been used to circumvent the NBA’s salary cap. Leonard reportedly agreed to a four-year, $28 million endorsement deal that also included company equity, though he did not participate in traditional promotional campaigns for the company.

Wait continues for Leonard trade

The Clippers have denied any wrongdoing and maintain that the team was the victim of fraud related to Aspiration, rather than participating in an attempt to offer Leonard additional compensation.

Although the investigation phase appears to have concluded, the process could remain unresolved for some time. Vorkunov explained that any proposed penalty might have to be presented to an arbitrator in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement. The National Basketball Players Association would also intervene if the league decides to sanction Leonard, and either party could appeal the decision.

This uncertainty continues to delay the proposed trade that would send Leonard to Toronto in a package including Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, and future draft pick compensation. Vorkunov still expects the deal to materialize unless the NBA imposes the most severe penalty possible and voids Leonard’s contract.

For now, Leonard, Ingram, and Dick remain attached to their previous teams despite the trade agreement. With no firm timetable for a decision, the uncertainty could extend toward training camp. Leonard is coming off a season in which he averaged a career-high 27.9 points while remaining one of the NBA‘s most effective two-way players when available.

According to The Athletic, the third-party investigation into the controversy has officially ended. However, that does not mean the waiting period is over. The facts of the case have all been delivered, according to The Athletic’s Mike Vorkunov.

Now that the investigation has officially concluded, the league will review what has been discovered. The only step remaining is waiting for the league to render its final decision.

The trade remains incomplete

Even with the investigation finalized, pending matters remain, meaning Leonard’s transaction is not yet complete. The deal sending Leonard to Toronto for Ingram and Dick remains stalled. Adam Silver and the NBA will have to decide whether the findings warrant penalties. If penalties are issued, the case will go to trial per the league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

Currently, there is no timeline for when this matter will be resolved. Leonard, Ingram, and Dick may very well still be on the rosters of the teams they were traded from when training camp officially opens in October.

This would create an awkward situation in which the players involved in the trade would be unable to report to their prospective new teams—a scenario that could impact team chemistry if they are eventually cleared to proceed with the transaction.

Why the NBA is investigating Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers

The league maintains strict rules governing contract distribution, including a cap on how much a team can spend on its roster. This specific rule is the one the Clippers are accused of violating with Leonard.

In 2022, the Clippers’ star forward signed a four-year endorsement deal worth $28 million with a company called Aspiration, which also included $20 million in company equity.

Due to the circumstances surrounding his contract with the firm, the endorsement deal is being viewed as a potential case of salary cap circumvention. The allegation contends that the Clippers used the deal to pay Leonard more than his NBA contract specified, allowing the organization to funnel additional money to him without it counting against the league’s salary cap.

With this win, the Cavaliers are set to face the Detroit Pistons, who came off a Sunday afternoon Game 7 victory against the Orlando Magic, also becoming the 15th team to overcome a 3-1 deficit, a remarkable achievement.

The series is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, May 5, at 7:00 PM ET, after all other matchups are already set and ready to tip off. The first round has delivered outstanding series, and it is almost certain that the conference semifinals will offer the same level of excitement. The other conference semifinal matchup features the Philadelphia 76ers against the New York Knicks.

Cleveland vs Raptors Game 7

Toronto led the entire first half until Cleveland tied it heading into the break. The Cavaliers used that momentum to take control after a dominant third quarter, as they outscored the Raptors 38-19 to pull away for good. The plus-19 point differential marked Cleveland’s best margin in any quarter of the series.

The Raptors cut the deficit to 11 points with 2:31 left in the game, but the Cavaliers held on for the win. They now face the Detroit Pistons, who won their own Game 7 on Sunday against the Orlando Magic. It marks the third straight season Cleveland reached the second round, their longest streak since 2014-2018.

Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen led the team with a playoff career-high 22 points, including 14 in the third quarter, along with 19 rebounds. Donovan Mitchell added 22 points, while James Harden contributed 18. Cleveland dominated the boards, outrebounding their opponent 60-30, including 20 offensive rebounds. It was the largest rebound differential, +27, recorded in a winner-take-all game since 1987.

Scottie Barnes recorded 24 points, nine rebounds, and six assists for Toronto, becoming the third player in Raptors history to post at least 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists in a Game 7. After hitting the game-winner in Game 6, RJ Barrett finished with 23 points and six assists.

The record of a key piece

According to ESPN, Jarrett Allen is the second Cavaliers player in postseason history with 20 or more points and 15 or more rebounds in a Game 7. He joins LeBron James on May 27, 2018, against the Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals.