The Aporia · Raptors star Scottie Barnes was once asked who he wanted to play with in the NBA. He's about to get his wish

Scottie Barnes, now an all-star for the Toronto Raptors, once expressed a desire to play alongside a strong defensive player. His wish was realized recently when the Raptors traded for Kawhi Leonard from the Los Angeles Clippers on June 30, with the deal officially confirmed after an NBA investigation. In return for Leonard, Toronto sent Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, and multiple draft picks to the Clippers. Leonard’s arrival is anticipated to significantly enhance the Raptors’ defensive capabilities, aligning well with Barnes's vision of a formidable team.

Written by AI on 2026-09-15, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

Story summary

Kawhi Leonard, seven years after leading the Toronto Raptors to their first NBA championship, is set to return to Toronto following a trade agreement with the Los Angeles Clippers that was previously delayed due to an investigation into salary cap circumvention. The NBA approved the deal on September 25th, allowing Leonard to rejoin the Raptors who will send Brandon Ingram, guard Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, a 2027 first-round pick swap, and two second-round picks to the Clippers. The trade was initially announced on June 30th but paused while the NBA investigated Leonard and the Clippers; they fined Leonard $700,000 without suspending him or voiding his contract.

Written for “Kawhi Leonard Trade Toronto” on 2026-11-01, grounded in this article and the 3 other(s) covering the same event.

📰 Kawhi Leonard Trade Toronto

Sports · 4 article(s) covering the same event. Compare every outlet's account →

This article reads unscored and hedges 7% of its claims. Each row says how that neighbour differs.

Kawhi Leonard officially returns to Toronto with NBA approving Raptors-Clippers trade Same event

Global News

Hedges 1 of 23 claims Outlet record 63/100

Raptors, Clippers agree to complete trade to send Kawhi Leonard back to Toronto: reports Different event

CBC News

Hedges 2 of 18 claims Outlet record 74/100

“Article A reports on the agreement between the Raptors and Clippers for a trade involving Kawhi Leonard, while Article B discusses the official completion of this trade along with Barnes' reaction to it. These are two different stages of related events.”

Timeline: Kawhi Leonard’s path back to Toronto Different event

Global News

Hedges 1 of 19 claims Outlet record 63/100

“While both articles mention Kawhi Leonard's return to Toronto, Article A is a timeline of his previous stint and eventual departure, whereas Article B focuses on his recent trade back to the Raptors.”

Kawhi Leonard sends heartfelt message to Clippers fans after Raptors trade becomes official Different event

New York Post

Hedges 0 of 15 claims Outlet record 66/100

“Article A describes Scottie Barnes's trade wish coming true with Kawhi Leonard joining the Raptors, while Article B focuses on Kawhi Leonard's farewell message to Clippers fans after the trade was finalized. They are related but describe different specific moments.”

Raptors mailbag: The addition of Kawhi Leonard and the departure of Uncle Dennis Different event

Toronto Star

Hedges 7 of 66 claims Outlet record 64/100

“Article A reports on Scottie Barnes' trade wish coming true with Kawhi Leonard joining the Raptors, while Article B discusses broader questions related to Kawhi Leonard's impact and injuries in sports.”

Article leaning vs. publisher reliability

Source leaning vs. consistency

Libaan Osman

16 article(s) here · 1 carrying a prediction

🔮 It was the second time in Barnes’ NBA career where he couldn’t convert a field goal.

2026-10-26 · assertive framing · Raptors vs. Timberwolves: Kawhi Leonard sits out and Scottie Barnes' offence goes missing

🔮 He’s already relishing the chance to guard star forwards Scottie Barnes and Kawhi Leonard in practice and embracing being the first player on the team bus, while acknowledging he might have to spend some time in Mississauga with the Raptors’ G League affiliate team to get developmental reps. “Obviously, I want to be out there on the court with those guys.

2026-10-20 · assertive framing · Rookie Allen Graves is eager to make an impact in the NBA. The Raptors will give him plenty of opportunities

🔮 All 82 games will be aired in Canada on either TSN or Sportsnet.

2026-10-18 · assertive framing · Must-see Raptors games to circle on your 2026-27 calendar

🔮 It seemed like only yesterday that the former rugby player, who represented Canada at the World Cup in 2014 and 2017, had to compete on university side fields with maybe 120 people in attendance.

2026-10-17 · assertive framing · Canadian women's rugby team stuns Red Roses before record crowd at BMO Field: ‘It means the world’

🔮 When Paige DeNeve was asked if she would be attending Canada’s women’s rugby match against England in Toronto on Friday, it almost felt like an insult.

2026-10-16 · assertive framing · Canada can claim more than Women's Rugby World Cup revenge in historic Toronto match vs. England

🔮 That iconic No. 7 will hang up in the rafter of Scotiabank Arena later this season as the second jersey the organization will retire.

2026-10-15 · assertive framing · Raptors changing numbers, chasing magic: Can Murray-Boyles and Shead follow the Lowry blueprint?

🔮 I thought Lewis might have been describing me.

2026-10-14 · assertive framing · I tried out for the Raptors 905 — and barely survived

🔮 It’s unclear what his role will be with the Raptors.

2026-10-08 · assertive framing · Why the Raptors chased Kyle (Slo Mo) Anderson for so many years

🔮 All eyes were on Kawhi Leonard at Raptors media day, but other topics came up that will play a big part to how the season develops.

2026-09-28 · assertive framing · Barrett's future, Poeltl's back and a Barnes photobomb: What we learned at Raptors media day

🔮 The Tempo have building blocks, with most of the roster expected to return, and will add more young talent in the draft.

2026-09-26 · assertive framing · What's next for the WNBA's Tempo, and what do they really think about Toronto?

Also by Libaan Osman

Raptors vs. Timberwolves: Kawhi Leonard sits out and Scottie Barnes' offence goes missing

2026-10-26 · Toronto Star

'What it do baby!'

2026-10-21 · Toronto Star

Rookie Allen Graves is eager to make an impact in the NBA. The Raptors will give him plenty of opportunities

2026-10-20 · Toronto Star

Must-see Raptors games to circle on your 2026-27 calendar

2026-10-18 · Toronto Star

Nothing else under this byline is closely related to this article, so these are simply their most recent.

All 16 articles by Libaan Osman →

On Monday night, Barnes officially had his wish come true as the trade between the Raptors and the Los Angeles Clippers was made official, with Leonard coming back to Toronto after leading the organization to a championship seven years ago.

framing: assertive · carried by 1 article(s) · first seen 2026-09-15

🔮 Long before Barnes became the NBA’s rookie of the year, a two-time all-star and an all-defensive second team player, he was asked if he could pick one teammate in the pros, who would it be? “The defensive presence that he can bring … and I like to play defence so it would just carry over,” Barnes said back in 2019.

2026-09-15 · Toronto Star

Raptors star Scottie Barnes was once asked who he wanted to play with in the NBA. He's about to get his wish · assertive framing

Long before Barnes became the NBA’s rookie of the year, a two-time all-star and an all-defensive second team player, he was asked if he could pick one teammate in the pros, who would it be? “The defensive presence that he can bring … and I like to play defence so it would just carry over,” Barnes said back in 2019. uncertain

Barnes → become → 2019

Leonard → have → championship

In acquiring Leonard, the team sent Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round draft picks in 2031 and 2033, second-round picks in 2030 and 2033 and a possible swap of 2027 first-round draft picks to the Clippers. asserted

team → acquire → Clippers

The deal was first announced June 30 but put on hold amid the NBA investigation into Leonard and the Clippers for salary cap circumvention. asserted

deal → announce → circumvention

On Tuesday, the Raptors’ social media team shared highlights of Leonard with the Raptors including one of him at a draft workout for Toronto in 2011. asserted

team → share → 2011

(Leonard was drafted 15th while Toronto took Jonas Valanciunas at No. 5). asserted

Toronto → draft → .

Barnes reshared the team’s post on his Instagram welcoming Leonard back. asserted

Barnes → reshare → Leonard

During the Raptors’ first Summer League game, the 25-year-old was asked about the potential addition of Leonard. asserted

old → ask → Leonard

“Seems very dangerous,” Barnes told NBA TV. asserted

Barnes → seem → TV

“We got people everywhere on the floor, every position that’s ready to guard … asserted

that → get → floor

we’re trying to take candy from a baby, essentially.” asserted

we → try → baby

“We know what Kawhi can do out there,” Barnes said of the potential pairing. asserted

Barnes → know → pairing

He’s going to fit right in.” asserted

He → go → ?

Leonard averaged a career-high 27.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 65 games last season with the Clippers. asserted

Leonard → average → Clippers

He and Barnes will suit up as teammates when the Raptors begin training camp Sept. 28. asserted

Raptors → suit → camp

Raptors star Scottie Barnes was once asked who he wanted to play with in the NBA. He's about to get his wish

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