Kawhi Leonard is close to starring in one of the most relevant movements in the NBA market. The Los Angeles Clippers are moving towards an agreement to send the forward to the Toronto Raptors, an operation that would mark the player's return to the team with which he won the 2019 championship and where he was elected Most Valuable Player of those Finals.

According to ESPN, the trade would include the arrival in Los Angeles of Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, an exchange of picks and two second-round picks. Projected assets include unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, as well as second-round picks in 2030 and 2033 and a first-round trade option in 2027.

The move represents a significant change for both franchises and ends, at least at this stage, the relationship between Leonard and the Clippers project.

The deal took shape over the past few weeks as Toronto and Los Angeles held talks. The player's entourage informed other organizations that he would only consider signing a contract extension with the Raptors if he left California.

Although the player's initial preference was to remain with the Clippers, the franchise did not present a long-term commitment proposal this offseason.

The return to the place where he won the title

The possibility of returning to Toronto has a sporting and symbolic meaning for Leonard.

In the 2018-19 season he led the Raptors to the first championship in their history and was recognized as MVP of the Finals after registering an average of 28.5 points in the series that ended with victory against the Golden State Warriors.

According to the sources consulted, Leonard interprets this scenario as an opportunity to close his career in the Canadian franchise.

He currently has only one season left on his contract, corresponding to the 2026-27 academic year, with a salary of $50.3 million.

The closing of a stage in the Clippers

The departure comes after a season in which Leonard regained continuity and once again ranked among the most decisive players in the league.

The forward was chosen All-Star for the third time in a Clippers uniform and completed one of his most productive campaigns. He averaged 27.9 points and played 65 regular season games, an especially relevant figure considering that he had only reached 60 appearances in one other season since his time in Toronto.

He also finished seventh in MVP voting and received his fourth inclusion on one of the All-NBA teams during his time in Los Angeles.

The collective results, however, did not accompany the individual performance. The Clippers closed with a record of 42 wins and 40 losses and were eliminated against Golden State in the play-in tournament.

The outcome contrasts with the discourse that the organization had maintained months ago. In April, during the season-ending conference, president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank had publicly expressed his intention to keep Leonard in the project.