A stunning new rumor claims the Los Angeles Clippers might scrap the planned trade sending Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors for a very petty reason.
When Pablo Torre broke the news last year about Clippers management creating shell companies to pay Leonard extra money and win his free agent sweepstakes in 2019, many wondered how severe the punishment for salary cap circumvention would be. Well, the long-awaited hammer dropped last week.
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After the NBA found undeniable evidence of illegal violations by the Clippers, the franchise was fined $30 million. Owner Steve Ballmer was suspended from all league and team activities for a year. Clippers President of Business Operations Gillian Zucker was suspended without pay for a year, and President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank was suspended without pay for 6 months. The team was also stripped of five future first-round picks in upcoming seasons.
It is the stiffest penalty in NBA history. However, the one individual involved who got a slap on the wrist was Leonard. After speculation that he could be suspended or have his contract voided, the seven-time All-Star received a $700,000 fine. He also released a statement taking partial ownership for the fiasco.
With the punishment for cap circumvention finalized, the Clippers are expected to complete a previously agreed-upon trade sending the 35-year-old to the Raptors. Or maybe not. It is a bit odd that the two teams haven’t completed a deal over a week after the penalty was handed down. According to NBA insider Marc Stein, some around the league believe there is a surprising reason the trade is still in limbo.
“The delay has naturally led some league observers to wonder aloud whether the Clippers are holding off — or considering something even more drastic — to spite Leonard for so readily accepting the league’s punishment rather than invoking his right to pursue an appeal.”
The reason why Leonard passing on an appeal is a big deal to the Clippers is because, as Stein notes, any formal appeal must be initiated by the player in question rather than the team, according to league bylaws. This means LA has to use state courts to fight against the penalties instead of through the league. This will be far tougher and more expensive.
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Why would the Clippers hold on to Leonard? For very petty reasons
Apr 15, 2026; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) leaves the court after being defeated by the Golden State Warriors during the play-in rounds of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Leonard seemed to enjoy his time with the Clippers. He chose them in free agency seven years ago. Signed two extensions and wanted to ink a new extension with the team this summer. However, they wanted him to take a more team-friendly annual average in a potential contract. But would getting to stay in LA really be a punishment for him? Absolutely.
Even with Leonard, the Clippers will be a team fighting for a play-in spot next season. However, the Raptors with Leonard are viewed as a sleeper team in the East next year. In LA, he will be forced to play out the season with a lesser team, and he will not get the chance to sign the extension Toronto was expected to give him. Then there is the fact that he could get a ton of blowback from fans for his role in the scheme. Something they won’t be able to voice in person to Ballmer, Zucker, and Frank.
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So yes, the Clippers scrapping the trade would be a real punishment for Leonard, and a very petty one.
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