local
Kawhi Leonard going back to Toronto after Raptors make deal with Clippers, AP source says
By Tim Reynolds, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC)
· June 30, 2026
· 2 min read
Kawhi Leonard is headed back to the Toronto Raptors, after they struck a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers to reunite with the player who led their run to the 2019 NBA championship, a person with knowledge of the talks said Tuesday.The Raptors are sending Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-r...
Key takeaway Leonard is a seven-time All-Star, seven-time All-NBA selection, a two-time NBA champion (also winning in 2014 with San Antonio) and is generally considered one of the game's top defensive players.
Why this matters in The Piney Point
The trade bringing Kawhi Leonard back to the Toronto Raptors has significant implications for the Houston area, particularly for fans of the Rockets, the city's home team. As the NBA landscape continues to shift with major deals, the Rockets must now consider how to compete with a strengthened Raptors team, as well as other powerhouses in the league. The fact that the Raptors are willing to make this deal despite the ongoing investigation into Leonard's endorsement contract suggests they are confident in his ability to bring another championship to the team. For Houston basketball fans, this move means the Rockets will face an even tougher opponent in the Raptors, making their own path to a championship more challenging. The Rockets' front office will likely be watching this development closely, considering their own roster moves and strategies to stay competitive in the rapidly changing NBA.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . The Piney Point surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 30, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) ·
Reading time: 2 min
Get more The Piney Point stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Kawhi Leonard is headed back to the Toronto Raptors, after they struck a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers to reunite with the player who led their run to the 2019 NBA championship, a person with knowledge of the talks said Tuesday.The Raptors are sending Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-r...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 30, 2026 by KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC) and curated for The Piney Point readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Tim Reynolds, Associated Press at KPRC 2 / Click2Houston (NBC). To learn more about how The Piney Point selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Piney Point, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter