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By Rowan Fisher-Shotton
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The NBA officially concluded its investigation of Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers for salary cap circumvention in early September.
That ongoing investigation had kept the previous trade between the Clippers and Toronto Raptors for Leonard in limbo.
The original deal was agreed upon in late June, but both teams had to wait until the league's investigation was complete before finalizing it. That point came, and last week, the trade went through, with the Clippers sending Leonard back to Toronto for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks, one first-round pick swap and two second-round picks.
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Now, the Raptors have made sure the two-time Finals MVP stays in Toronto for years to come.
On Tuesday, ESPN's Shams Charania reported that Leonard has agreed to a two-year, $115 million extension with the Raptors, plus a player option for the 2028-29 season. He now heads into the 2026-27 NBA season with a total of three years and $165 million remaining on his Raptors contract, including the $50.3 million he was already set to earn this season.
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Leonard is 35 years old and just signed a deal worth around $57.5 million per year, which makes him one of the highest-paid players in the league.
That may seem like a lot to invest in an aging player who has made headlines for plenty of negative reasons over the last year. But it's important to remember that this is the same man who already brought the Raptors one championship seven years ago, and he now arrives on a team that could legitimately push for another sooner rather than later.
Toronto already had a talented core built around ascending superstar Scottie Barnes, attacking wing RJ Barrett, high-energy guard Immanuel Quickley and physical big man Collin Murray-Boyles.
Add in Leonard, a seven-time All-Star, two-time Defensive Player of the Year and two-time NBA Finals MVP, and the Raptors suddenly have a legitimate contender.
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The Eastern Conference got a lot stronger over the summer, but Toronto will be in the fight alongside the Knicks, 76ers, Cavaliers and Celtics.
It's also important to remember that Leonard is coming off one of the best seasons of his career, averaging a career-high 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.9 steals in 32.1 minutes per game last season while shooting 50.5% from the field, 38.7% from deep and appearing in 65 games.
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