Kawhi Leonard’s next move appears tied to one condition: he would “only commit” to a long-term extension with the Toronto Raptors if he’s traded out of Los Angeles. With his unrestricted free agency set for next summer and the Clippers reportedly moving in a y
Kawhi Leonard’s trade talk has been circling the NBA, but the reported fine print is what changes the temperature. On Monday, ESPN’s Shams Charania said the Los Angeles Clippers superstar would be willing to sign a long-term extension with the Toronto Raptors only if he’s moved there.
“My understanding is that Toronto is the only place he would commit to on a long-term extension if traded outside Los Angeles,” Charania said.
Leonard, for now, is still under a looming clock. He’s set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer and carries a $50.3-million salary for the upcoming 2026-27 season.
The context for the pressure is hard to ignore. Leonard is coming off one of his most productive and healthiest stretches, averaging 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.9 steals across 65 appearances. His shooting splits were 50.5% from the field, 38.7% from three-point range and 89.2% from the free-throw line. He finished tied for seventh in MVP voting and earned the seventh all-NBA selection of his career, second-team.
Toronto’s end of the conversation has also been getting louder. Rumours of mutual interest between Leonard and the Raptors have been floating around in recent days, and Sportsnet’s Michael Grange confirmed that Toronto has discussed the possibility of a trade to bring him back.
Leonard, however, is not being portrayed as someone simply looking for options. While it has also been reported that Leonard’s preference is to remain in Los Angeles. the Clippers’ position doesn’t match that assumption. Charania said “at the crux of this, the Clippers are moving in a younger direction.”.
That mismatch sits at the center of the clash. Grange also included a sharper assessment from a source: “The Clippers aren’t going to commit to anything with him, so it looks like he’s trying to strong-arm his way out of there.”
The Raptors connection adds weight to the condition. Leonard was traded to Toronto in 2018, with Jakob Poeltl and DeMar DeRozan sent to the San Antonio Spurs. That trade set the stage for Toronto’s eventual 2019 championship run. and Leonard delivered star-turn numbers in the playoffs. averaging 30.5 points. 9.1 rebounds. 3.9 assists and 1.7 steals across 24 postseason games. He was named Finals MVP.
Then he left. Later that summer, Leonard returned to his hometown of Los Angeles, joining forces with Paul George on the Clippers. His eight seasons in L.A. have included the playoffs six times, but the Clippers have reached the Conference Finals only once and have come away empty-handed.
The sequence is now tightening around one question: can a player who is supposedly “only” interested in a long-term extension with the Raptors. if traded. find common ground with a Clippers front office that reportedly doesn’t want to commit while it pivots toward a younger direction?. Right now, the stakes are as much about leverage as they are about basketball.
Kawhi Leonard Los Angeles Clippers Toronto Raptors Shams Charania Michael Grange NBA trade rumours long-term extension unrestricted free agent 2026-27 salary MVP voting All-NBA