Raptors, Clippers pause Kawhi Leonard trade amid NBA investigation
Yahoo Sports • 2 min read • Latest: Jul 9, 2026, 7:29 PM
Last updated Jul 9, 2026
The Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers have put the trade involving Kawhi Leonard on hold due to an ongoing NBA investigation. The league is examining potential salary-cap circumvention concerning Leonard's endorsement deal with Aspiration. Both teams announced they will wait for the investigation's conclusion before finalizing the trade, which would send Leonard back to Toronto. The Clippers have cooperated with the inquiry for the past ten months, and there is uncertainty as to when it will wrap up. If the investigation results in penalties, the Raptors would risk repercussions by completing the trade now.
- •Trade involves Kawhi Leonard returning to the Raptors from the Clippers.
- •Investigation centers on potential salary-cap violations with Aspiration.
- •Raptors have expressed eagerness to complete the deal.
- •Clippers have been cooperative during the 10-month investigation process.
- •No timeline announced for the conclusion of the NBA's inquiry.
- 9:08 PMYahoo Sports — Kawhi Leonard trade to Toronto on hold until Aspiration investigation concludes
- 8:34 PMESPN — Clips-Raptors trade for Kawhi on hold amid probe
- 8:22 PMYahoo Sports — Kawhi Leonard Trade on Hold Until NBA Wraps Clippers Investigation
- 7:38 PMYahoo Sports — Kawhi Leonard trade holdup, explained: Why Clippers-Raptors swap is being held up by NBA investigation
- 7:29 PMCBS Sports — Kawhi Leonard trade on hold as Raptors, Clippers await results of NBA investigation
- 7:17 PMYahoo Sports — Why the NBA is delaying Kawhi Leonard Raptors trade with Clippers
- 7:16 PMYahoo Sports — Raptors and Clippers put trade for Kawhi Leonard on hold, pending end of NBA investigation
"Kawhi Leonard's trade to Toronto is on hold pending the outcome of the NBA's investigation into whether the Los Angeles Clippers circumvented salary cap rules, the Raptors announced Thursday. “The NBA league office informed us that as a result of the ongoing investigation involving the Clippers, we would assume the risk of any potential outcome of the investigation impacting Kawhi,” the Raptors said.
"The Clippers-Raptors trade involving Kawhi Leonard will not be completed until the NBA probe about whether the Clippers circumvented the salary cap is completed.
"The Raptors say they are still "eager" to reunite with Kawhi Leonard, but the deal with the Clippers is on pause for now. Here's why.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJul 9, 2026, 9:08 PMKawhi Leonard trade to Toronto on hold until Aspiration investigation concludes
When will that investigation into alleged salary cap circumvention end? Good question.
- ESPNJul 9, 2026, 8:34 PMClips-Raptors trade for Kawhi on hold amid probe
The Clippers-Raptors trade involving Kawhi Leonard will not be completed until the NBA probe about whether the Clippers circumvented the salary cap is completed.
- Yahoo SportsJul 9, 2026, 8:22 PMKawhi Leonard Trade on Hold Until NBA Wraps Clippers Investigation
The Raptors agreed to acquire Leonard from the Clippers in June.
- Yahoo SportsJul 9, 2026, 7:38 PMKawhi Leonard trade holdup, explained: Why Clippers-Raptors swap is being held up by NBA investigation
The Raptors say they are still "eager" to reunite with Kawhi Leonard, but the deal with the Clippers is on pause for now. Here's why.
- CBS SportsJul 9, 2026, 7:29 PMKawhi Leonard trade on hold as Raptors, Clippers await results of NBA investigation
The NBA's Aspiration investigation is still looking into potential salary-cap circumvention by the Clippers with Leonard's contract
- Yahoo SportsJul 9, 2026, 7:17 PMWhy the NBA is delaying Kawhi Leonard Raptors trade with Clippers
Well, this is big.
- Yahoo SportsJul 9, 2026, 7:16 PMRaptors and Clippers put trade for Kawhi Leonard on hold, pending end of NBA investigation
Kawhi Leonard's trade to Toronto is on hold pending the outcome of the NBA's investigation into whether the Los Angeles Clippers circumvented salary cap rules, the Raptors announced Thursday. “The NBA league office informed us that as a result of the ongoing investigation involving the Clippers, we would assume the risk of any potential outcome of the investigation impacting Kawhi,” the Raptors said.
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