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Raptors Bail Out Clippers with Kawhi Deal
15 Sep
Summary
- Clippers received Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, and draft picks from Toronto.
- The NBA penalized the Clippers heavily, stripping five future first-round picks.
- Kawhi Leonard reportedly is returning to Toronto in a significant trade.
The Toronto Raptors' recent trade acquisition of Kawhi Leonard appears to be a lifesaver for the Los Angeles Clippers, who were heavily penalized by the NBA. The league's sanctions included millions in fines and, most critically, the stripping of five first-round draft picks from 2029 to 2033. These penalties were related to alleged salary-cap-circumventing actions concerning Leonard.
The completed trade sends Leonard back to Toronto in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, a 2027 first-round pick swap, and two second-round selections. This influx of draft capital is crucial for the Clippers, who previously traded away significant assets for Paul George.
Despite the penalties, the Clippers are poised to remain competitive with players like Ingram, Darius Garland, Rui Hachimura, and Keaton Wagler. The recovered draft picks from the Raptors provide a pathway for future team-building and acquiring impact players, a necessity given the team's history of struggling to attract major free agents.
