Kawhi Leonard returns to Raptors after Clippers trade; Stephen A. Smith reacts
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 15, 2026, 4:41 PM
Last updated Sep 15, 2026
Kawhi Leonard's trade back to the Toronto Raptors was completed on September 15, 2026. Leonard's departure from the Los Angeles Clippers followed the NBA's investigation into the franchise, which resulted in a $30 million fine and significant penalties for the Clippers. ESPN's Stephen A. Smith criticized Leonard's actions during this process, labeling him a 'gangster' for how he managed his exit. The trade sends Leonard to the Raptors in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, and multiple draft picks, marking Leonard's return to the team with which he won an NBA championship in 2019.
- •Kawhi Leonard traded to Toronto Raptors from Los Angeles Clippers.
- •Clippers fined $30 million and penalized with loss of draft picks.
- •Stephen A. Smith criticized Leonard's departure strategy on ESPN.
- •Toronto acquires Leonard in exchange for Ingram and multiple draft picks.
- •Leonard previously led the Raptors to their first NBA championship in 2019.
- 4:41 PMYahoo Sports — Clippers news: Stephen A. Smith slaps Kawhi Leonard with 'gangster' label for throwing LA under bus
"With Kawhi Leonard’s trade back to the Toronto Raptors officially completed Monday , ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith delivered a strong reaction to how the star forward departed the Los Angeles Clippers following the NBA’s investigation into the franchise. During Tuesday’s episode of “First Take,” Smith labeled Leonard a “gangster” while […] The post Clippers news: Stephen A. Smith slaps Kawhi Leonard with 'gangster' label for throwing LA under bus appeared first on ClutchPoints.
Sources
External linksOriginal reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
Related Stories
Last 14 days- NBA•Sep 15, 2026, 4:44 PMCeltics predicted to trade Paul George for $240M high-scoring duo to pair with Jayson Tatum
NBA•Sep 15, 2026, 4:43 PMThe Bounce: Donovan Mitchell’s Cavaliers arrival stems from a 15-year-old trade- NBA•Sep 15, 2026, 4:25 PMNBA reportedly lacked sufficient evidence to suspend Kawhi Leonard for role in Clippers' investigation
NBA•Sep 15, 2026, 3:40 PMFormer OKC Thunder forward Lindy Waters III signs with China's Beijing Ducks- NBA•Sep 15, 2026, 3:22 PMLakers may regret letting Celtics sign $22M former first-rounder after losing him to Boston
NBA•Sep 15, 2026, 3:06 PMKobe Bryant Gets A Big Hall of Fame Nod From Brendan Haywood
