Raptors, Mavericks weigh Leonard trade amid Clippers investigation

Raptors Mavericks – With NBA free agency arriving June 30, Toronto and Dallas are among the teams watching a possible trade for Clippers star Kawhi Leonard. The talks sit alongside an active investigation involving Leonard, Clippers owner Steve Ballmer, and Dennis Robertson, crea

The timing is the kind that makes executives hold their breath. On the eve of the NBA free agency period starting June 30. the Toronto Raptors and the Dallas Mavericks are reportedly exploring whether they can pry Kawhi Leonard out of the Los Angeles Clippers—if the Clippers are ready to move on from a player with one year left on his current deal.

Leonard, a 7-time All-Star, is coming off 65 games last season, averaging 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists. Financially, his contract is specific: he would make $50.3 million next season. If he does not sign an extension, he would become a free agent in 2027.

For the Raptors, the appeal isn’t just basketball. Leonard spent familiar time in Toronto, helping lead the franchise to its NBA championship in 2019. The reported trade preference is also telling: Toronto would rather move Brandon Ingram than include RJ Barrett in a potential package for Leonard.

Dallas, too, is linked to the conversation. Mavericks president Masai Ujiri—who previously served as Toronto’s president of operations—traded for Leonard in 2018. deciding to part ways with longtime Raptor DeMar DeRozan in July of that year. If Ujiri wants to revisit a relationship, he would be doing it as the clock runs toward free agency.

The contours of one reported framework involve the Clippers. The Athletic has described discussions between Dallas and Los Angeles that would send the former Finals MVP to the Mavericks in exchange for P.J. Washington, Klay Thompson and draft picks.

Leonard’s ties to Texas add another layer to the appeal. He spent the first seven years of his professional career with San Antonio, where he helped the Spurs win the 2014 NBA championship.

But any trade in the coming days would come with a complication that can’t be ignored: Leonard is under investigation. along with Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and Leonard’s uncle/advisor Dennis Robertson. The allegation centers on a purported “no-show” agreement with a company. Aspiration. allegedly used to funnel extra compensation to the player as part of a salary cap circumvention.

When Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank spoke to the media on Tuesday. June 23. he declined to comment on specifics of the investigation. He said the investigation has not altered how the organization has conducted business and added that the Clippers will “continue to go about our business as normal.”.

For now, the NBA’s role is tied to timing and process. NBA commissioner Adam Silver would be the person deciding on any potential discipline after the law firm conducting the investigation delivers its findings. Silver said in June that the investigation needs to conclude soon. because the league and all 30 teams need clarity about what they are operating under.

“The team has to understand what situation they are going to be operating under and so do the other 29 teams,” Silver said.

Kawhi Leonard Raptors Mavericks Clippers Steve Ballmer Dennis Robertson NBA free agency NBA trade Lawrence Frank Adam Silver investigation Aspiration