For the second time in his career, Kawhi Leonard has been traded to the Toronto Raptors.
On Tuesday, the Raptors sent Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, a first-round pick swap, and two seconds to the Los Angeles Clippers for Leonard, who is coming off the best offensive season of his career.
Leonard is a two-time Finals MVP and one of the best players of his generation. Had it not been for lingering injuries, he likely would be the very best player of the 2010s and 2020s.
The San Antonio Spurs, of course, had Leonard on the roster for the first seven seasons of his career, where he blossomed into an MVP candidate and two-time Defensive Player of the Year. In 2018, the Spurs traded Leonard to the Raptors in a move that ended their title window and dynasty.
Even though they didn’t lose their best player in the deal, this trade should sting a bit extra for the Spurs.
Why Spurs Got Spurned By Second Kawhi Leonard Trade
In 2018, Leonard issued a proclamation to the Spurs: trade me now, and trade me to California. The Spurs acquiesced on the first part, sending him to the Great White North for DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl, and a first-round pick.
The Spurs would use that pick on Keldon Johnson.
Now, the Spurs did not have much wiggle room with that deal. Leonard made it very clear that he wanted to be sent to Los Angeles, either the Clippers or the Lakers, and only had one season left on his contract. The Raptors gave up one of the best players in franchise history and a fan favorite in exchange for Leonard.
They won the title, the trade worked, and Leonard bolted in free agency.
This time around, the Raptors had to give up much more to snag him. Kawhi didn’t know how good he had it in Canada until he left, apparently. When news broke earlier this offseason that he wanted to be traded, he listed the Spurs and Raptors as the only two teams he would re-sign with.
Much like the 2018 deal, Kawhi only has one season left on his contract. This time, however, he ended up where he wanted to be.
Looking back at the original Leonard trade, the Spurs got a fringe All-Star, a capable starter, and a single draft pick. DeRozan, Poeltl, and the rights to Johnson. This time, the Clippers got a fringe All-Star, a capable starter, and a whopping three picks, minimum. What a haul!
In 2026, Leonard wanted to be in Canada and will remain on the Raptors well past this season. Eight years ago, the Spurs had to cough him up, knowing he would be a rental. It’s a miracle they even got Keldon Johnson in the deal.
While Leonard winding up back on the Spurs was a long shot to begin with, the fact that they both missed out on an excellent player and are reminded of what little assets they got back for him in the first place should leave a bitter taste in their mouth.
At least they won’t have to worry about meeting Kawhi in the first round of the playoffs anymore!
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