The possibility of Kawhi Leonard landing north of the border yet again appears to have gotten clearer.
Leonard, 35, is in the final year of his current contract, which pays him $50.3 million before he hits unrestricted free agency next summer.
Fischer previously reported that the Raptors had “registered interest” in reuniting with the seven-time all-star, and Leonard would be “open to signing an extension” if he were dealt to Toronto.
He is coming off one of his most productive — and healthiest — seasons, averaging a career-best 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.9 steals on 50.5/38.7/89.2 per cent shooting splits in 65 appearances. He finished tied for seventh in MVP voting and earned the seventh all-NBA selection (second-team) of his career. But Leonard’s preference is to remain with his hometown Clippers, according to Fischer.
While it’s unclear what price the Raptors would be willing to pay to re-acquire Leonard — the team has all its own first and second round picks until 2032 and a handful of prospects and expiring salaries — GM Bobby Webster has acknowledged interest in exploring the market.
“Having a lot of assets, having our first-round picks, having players under rookie-scale contracts, that allowed us to build and be the youngest team in the playoffs. But at a certain point, we want to be opportunistic in the trade market, so we’ll look to do that in the summer and next trade deadline,” Webster told reporters after Round 1 of the NBA Draft on Tuesday.
The Mississauga, Ont., native is coming off a successful playoff showing, averaging 24.1 points (tied with Scottie Barnes for the team lead), seven rebounds, four assists and 1.3 steals on 38.6 per cent shooting from beyond the arc — including a remarkable Game 6 winning-shot. But the extension-eligible 25-year-old Barrett is entering the final year of his current contract, is owed $29.6 million before unrestricted free agency, and is in line for a potential raise in 2027-28.
Meanwhile, Ingram struggled in the post-season, averaging 12 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists and two turnovers while shooting 32.8 per cent from the field through five games before being sidelined with a heel injury. All of which was a significant drop-off from his team-best 21.5 points per game through 77 regular-season games as part of his second all-star selection.
As for Leonard, the two-time Defensive Player of the Year was famously traded by the San Antonio Spurs to the Raptors in 2018 and helped bring Toronto its first-ever NBA championship while winning his second Finals MVP award. Leonard averaged 30.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.7 steals in 24 playoff games that season.
He then opted to return home and join forces with Paul George on the Clippers instead of running it back with the Raptors.
Yet despite making six playoff appearances in the eight seasons since, the Clippers have just one conference finals run to show for it and appear ready for a new direction after a 42-40 season. Los Angeles traded away veterans James Harden and Ivica Zubac at the February trade deadline, bringing in much younger players in Darius Garland and Bennedict Mathurin, along with the No. 5 pick, which was used on 19-year-old Keaton Wagler.
The Raptors made a return to competitive relevance last season thanks to a 46-36 record. It was Toronto’s first playoff appearance since 2022, but the team ultimately fell to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a seven-game first-round series.
Toronto was reportedly interested in LaMelo Ball before the all-star guard was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves, and according to Sportsnet’s Michael Grange, Toronto has shown interest in Bucks centre Myles Turner should Milwaukee enter a fire sale following the departure of Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Meanwhile, the Raptors may not be the only team trying to chase Leonard, as ESPN’s Brian Windhorst pegged the Detroit Pistons as a team to keep in mind after clearing cap space by trading Isaiah Stewart to the Memphis Grizzlies.