The Toronto Raptors made a big splash this summer with the addition of Kawhi Leonard. After finishing fifth last season (46-36), the Raptors are hoping that Leonard will lead them 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. While nobody knows the league’s official ruling, NBA veteran Dillon Brooks recently expressed confidence that the deal will be called off without a resolution.
Dillon Brooks tells Neon that the Kawhi Leonard trade to the Toronto Raptors WON’T happen pic.twitter.com/geYxxALIJE
— FearBuck (@FearedBuck) July 31, 2026
Dillon Brooks doesn’t have any direct ties to Kawhi Leonard but, as someone well-connected in the league, he likely has a trusted source who’s in the know about these things. So the fact that he’s so confident Kawhi is not going anywhere is a bad sign for the Raptors.
Leonard, 35, was a Clipper for six years leading up to this summer. While he ultimately failed to lead the franchise to a 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.
This summer, with the Clippers headed toward a rebuild, extending Kawhi was not in their plans, leading them to terms on a deal to send him back to the Raptors in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, and multiple future draft picks. On paper, it’s a win-win for both sides. The problem is that both Kawhi and the Clippers are still under an active cap-circumvention investigation that carries massive implications.
The scandal involves a potential backdoor 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 Clippers maintain their innocence in the scandal, but there’s no way to know their involvement until the NBA concludes its investigation. With the process still ongoing, the Clippers have yet to be cleared of wrongdoing, meaning they could face penalties including fines, the loss of draft picks, and potential suspensions.
If the Raptors trade for Kawhi now, they 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 they 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.
The players would have to return to their respective teams, and expectations would shift overnight, creating an awkward situation in the locker room. For the Raptors, it would erase all the excitement they built this summer and leave the franchise in a desperate situation. It’s a scenario Toronto wants to avoid at all costs, and the longer this investigation goes, the more precarious their position becomes.
