Legal expert expresses shock at Kawhi Leonard trade holdup
A proposed trade sending Kawhi Leonard back to the Toronto Raptors has been paused due to an ongoing NBA investigation into his previous contract with the Los Angeles Clippers. Legal experts expressed surprise that the deal was announced before the investigation's implications were fully vetted.
Why it matters
The situation underscores the complexities of NBA contract regulations and the financial risks teams assume when acquiring players involved in potential regulatory disputes.
Kawhi Leonard attends a press conference where former teammate Kyle Lowry signed a one-day contract to retire as a Toronto Raptor on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (Chris Young/CP) A Toronto-based legal expert says he was surprised by the latest twist in the Toronto Raptors - Los Angeles Clippers trade saga.
The Raptors and Clippers announced in separate statements on Thursday that a proposed trade that would bring all-star forward Kawhi Leonard back to Toronto has been put on hold following the outcome of an investigation by the NBA into Leonard's 2024 contract with L.A. Both statements said that the Raptors would assume the risk of any potential penalties that come out of the investigation.
Russell Sanders, a partner at Aird and Berlis, said he was taken aback by the deal being paused.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in