The Raptors are looking to make a big splash this off-season and might be going back to the well to do it – or so it seems.
Kawhi Leonard, the man who helped Toronto win its only NBA championship, reportedly is interested in a reunion in the 6ix.
Citing league sources, NBA insider Jake Fischer reported that Leonard would be open to sign an extension with the Raptors if traded here.
“While Kawhi Leonard’s preference is to remain with the Clippers, league sources say the two-time Finals MVP would be open to signing an extension with Toronto, amid the Raptors’ own interest in reuniting with Leonard,” Fischer posted on X.
Fischer elaborated on the report on The Stein Line, stating that Toronto had “registered interest” in bringing back Leonard if the seven-time all-star becomes available.
“League sources say that Toronto has registered interest in trying to re-acquire the engine of the lone championship team in franchise history should Leonard become truly available,” Fischer wrote.
“One source briefed on the subject insisted Thursday — after news of LaMelo Ball’s impending trade to Minnesota broke — that the Raptors would have interest in trying to lure The Klaw back to Canada ‘regardless of LaMelo.’ ”
Toronto also reportedly had been in on trade talks with the Charlotte Hornets over star point guard LaMelo Ball as of Wednesday night.
But on Thursday morning, Ball was dealt to the Minnesota Timberwolves in a blockbuster deal, along with guard Josh Green, in exchange for forward Naz Reid, a 2033 unprotected first-round pick, three first-round pick swaps (2028, 2029, 2030) and three second-round picks (2029, 2032, 2033).
Why the Kawhi-Raptors rumours don’t add up
However, despite the insider report, the rumours that Leonard would be open to return to Toronto — and then staying — seem far-fetched.
After being traded north of the border by San Antonio, Leonard reportedly told teammates that he had no intention of re-signing with the Raptors, regardless of how the season went.
Former Raptors guard Fred VanVleet confirmed as much earlier this year.
“From Day 1, ‘I ain’t staying here,’ ” VanVleet revealed what Leonard said during a podcast appearance, adding that the star told his new teammates right away: “I don’t know why they traded for me. I don’t want to be here. I’m not staying here.”
If Leonard was unwilling to entertain the thought of staying with a team that had won 59 games the previous season, then won the NBA championship, why would he have a change of heart now?
What about that Aspiration scandal?
Leonard also remains entangled in an scandal involving potentially illegal, under-the-table payments from the Clippers.
Last September, Pablo Torre began reporting about an alleged connection between Leonard, the Clippers and climate change company Aspiration, a former team sponsor.
Leonard reportedly received $28 million as part of a “no-show” deal between himself, the team and the company, as an alleged means of circumventing the salary cap. The league’s investigation into the matter remains open.
Leonard has one year remaining on his three-year, $149-million US contract extension with the Clippers. He will earn $50.3 million this coming season before becoming a free agent.
The Raptors aren’t the only one of Leonard’s former teams that he would be interested in signing an extension with, either. Reports say that he would be interested in sticking around with the San Antonio Spurs, if dealt there by the Clips.
The Detroit Pistons and Atlanta Hawks also reportedly have interest in Leonard, but he hasn’t expressed interest in signing an extension with either team.
Are the Raptors exploring big trades?
Raptors general manager Bobby Webster had said on a media call after the first round of the NBA draft Wednesday that at some point the team wants to make a big splash. The last one came when they dealt for Brandon Ingram a couple of seasons ago.
“I think people saw (Monday) a couple big deals that went down (the blockbuster involving Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Julius Randle trade), and not that they were holding up the rest of the league, but I think that, gave everyone a chance to exhale,” Webster said.
“We’ve been stockpiling, and what we’ve been patient on over the past couple years, having a lot of assets, having our first-round picks, having players under rookie scale contracts.
“That’s allowed us to build and be the youngest team in the playoffs, but yeah, at a certain point we want to be a participant in the trade market, and so you know we’ll look to do that, over the course of the summer and even into the trade deadline next season.”
Is Kawhi Leonard still a good player?
Despite turning 35 years old next week, Leonard remains one of the most talented players in the NBA.
During the 2025-26 season with the Clippers, Leonard averaged a career-high 27.9 points per game as well as 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game while appearing in 65 contests.
He finished seventh in MVP voting and was named to the All-NBA second team.
During his single season with the Raptors in 2018-19, Leonard averaged 26.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game while appearing in 60 contests while being “load managed” to deal with a knee injury.
— With Ryan Wolstat files