Report: Raptors closing deal with Clippers to send Kawhi Leonard back to Toronto

The main piece of the Toronto Raptors 2019 championship team is coming back north of the border.

The Raptors are reportedly finalizing a deal with the L.A. Clippers to send seven-time all-star Kawhi Leonard back to Toronto in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round draft picks, one pick swap and two second-rounders, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Tuesday.

Here’s what you need to know.

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Kawhi Leonard trade

The final piece of business to complete the trade is each team signing off on the medicals for the players involved.

Leonard, who turned 35 on Monday, has one year left on his current contract, which pays him $50.3 million next season before hitting unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2027.

The 2019 Finals MVP is coming off one of his best and healthiest seasons ever, averaging a career-high 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.9 steals in 65 games. He finished tied for seventh in MVP voting.

Leonard was the missing piece that put Toronto over the top in the franchise’s lone championship season. He was the key returning part of a 2018 off-season trade that sent franchise icon DeMar DeRozan and Jakob Poeltl back to the San Antonio Spurs. Leonard went on to win his second career Finals MVP, averaging 30.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.7 steals in 24 playoff games that spring.

Despite winning a championship in Toronto, Leonard returned to his L.A. home the next season to link up with Paul George on the Clippers. It was a disappointing eight-year run, with just one conference finals appearance to show for it.

Toronto now hopes to be a legitimate contender after taking a step forward last season. The Raptors finished fifth in the Eastern Conference with 46-36 record before losing a tight seven-game series against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Leonard joins a Toronto core that includes Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, Collin Murray-Boyles and Immanuel Quickley.