NBA rumors: Raptors insider reveals only thing that could nuke Kawhi Leonard trade with Clippers

Plenty has been made about the NBA’s investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers allegedly circumventing the league’s salary cap rules with respect to the Aspiration sponsorship deal. It has been almost 11 months since the investigation began, and Leonard is understood to be close to being traded to the Toronto Raptors for what will be his second stint with the team.

And well, while the trade has been paused for the time being, reporter Josh Lewenberg claimed that the possibility that Leonard’s contract may be voided as punishment is the only thing that may stop the deal from happening. Any other situation, including a suspension and/or fine, are viewed as conditions Toronto will be willing to work around.

For what it’s worth, Raptors continue to talk/act like a team that’s unworried. Sense is the only thing that would jeopardize the trade is the unlikely scenario where Kawhi’s contract is voided. Any other possible penalty, including suspension, is something they could work around

— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) July 15, 2026

That means that despite the controversy surrounding Leonard, the Raptors have essentially committed to the player who helped them land the only championship of their history back in 2019. Leonard, a two-time Finals MVP and a seven-time All-Star, had earmarked the Raptors as the only team he would be willing to sign for long-term. That allowed Toronto to edge ahead of the competition for his signature, and it appears as though that commitment works both ways.

The Raptors have essentially made up their mind, and unless the contract is voided, Kawhi is likely to be their player next season. The 35-year-old has himself claimed that there was no wrongdoing on his part, with Shams Charania recently reporting that the worst outcome that could come out of the investigation is Kawhi’s contract being voided, with a suspension of a whole season or 20/40 games also viewed as possibilities.

Kawhi Leonard has denied ANY participation in the alleged Aspiration scandal, per @ShamsCharania

“The absolute worst is Kawhi Leonard’s contract being voided, or him being suspended for a significant period of time. Whether it’s 40/20 games or entire season.. it all comes down… pic.twitter.com/3lXQljd8nx

— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) July 14, 2026

However, everything depends on the kind of evidence the NBA’s investigation has uncovered, with recent reports claiming that the league is also looking into a second sponsorship deal during Kawhi’s Clippers tenure. And while Adam Silver himself expressed hope that the investigation will wrap up this summer, Lewenberg stated that it did not seem that a resolution was imminent.

But the longer it takes, the more pressure the league will be under to get the decision right. For now, however, all signs point to Leonard returning to the Raptors, irrespective of what the NBA finds.

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