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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 the local model on 2026-09-15,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
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 2026-09-17,
grounded in this article and the 3 other(s) covering the same event.
Why this leaning score
This article does not take a side on a contested political
question, so it has no leaning score. That is an
answer rather than a gap: a match report or a rescue can be warmly
or critically written without being left or right, and scoring it
anyway is how approval of a subject gets recorded as a political
position.
No political leaning scored for article 12193 · logged 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.
uncertain
Barnes → become → 2019
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.
asserted
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
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