Leonard returns to Raptors, deal finally completed

Leonard (right) returns to the Tyrannosaurus Rex. (File photo, The Canadian Press)

[Sports Center/Comprehensive Report] Due to the league's involvement in investigating the secret contract between Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers, the transaction between them and the Raptors was suspended. Now that the penalties for the secret contract have been released, the two teams have finally completed the transaction.

According to well-known ESPN reporter Shams Charania, the Clippers and Raptors have reached an agreement again to complete the deal that should have been completed by the end of June. Leonard will return to the Raptors, and the Clippers will receive Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-rounders, a first-round swap right, and two second-round draft picks.

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In addition, Charania also pointed out that Leonard gave up $7.45 million in trade compensation in this transaction. "ESPN" salary expert Bobby Marks calculated that Leonard gave up the trade compensation, allowing the Raptors team salary to be $2.3 million below the first-tier cap.

The league announced the results of the punishment for the Leonard secret contract case in early September. However, due to the suspension of Clippers management Lawrence Frank and others, the team needed to reorganize internally, so the transaction was delayed again. Now the transaction has finally been completed.