Raptors Offseason Review: Can Kawhi Leonard Restore Toronto’s Title Hopes?

Toronto took a major step toward renewed Eastern Conference contention Monday when the Raptors and LA Clippers completed their long-pending Kawhi Leonard trade. The seven-time All-Star is returning to the Raptors in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks, a first-round swap and two second-round selections.

The deal concludes a saga involving both franchises after an NBA investigation lasting nearly a year into allegations that the Clippers circumvented the salary cap through their dealings with Leonard during his tenure in Los Angeles.

Leonard now reunites with the franchise he led to the 2019 championship. Paired with Scottie Barnes and second-year big man Collin Murray-Boyles, the two-time Finals MVP gives Toronto another opportunity to contend at the highest level.

Offseason overview

Key additions: Kawhi Leonard, Kyle Anderson, Andre Jackson Jr.
Key departures: Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, Sandro Mamukelashvili
Key retention: Jamal Shead

After months of waiting for the NBA investigation to conclude, the Raptors can finally turn their attention to what may become their most promising season in years.

Leonard represents a significant upgrade over Ingram at his position. Toronto’s rest of its starting lineup remains intact, while Murray-Boyles is expected to build on an impressive rookie campaign.

Although Mamukelashvili’s free-agent departure weakened the bench, the Raptors have assembled an energetic and versatile supporting cast around Leonard and two-time All-Star Barnes.

After winning 46 games last season, Toronto has a legitimate opportunity to claim its first playoff-series victory since 2020. — Ben Golliver

Zach Kram’s offseason grade: A

The Leonard trade was Toronto’s only major move of the summer, but it substantially improved the roster. He offers stronger two-way play than Ingram, particularly as a go-to scorer and half-court offensive creator.

The Raptors surrendered more draft capital than they did when acquiring Leonard eight years ago, but the risk is justified for a team with a realistic path to the NBA Finals if its new star remains healthy. Their previous gamble on Leonard, of course, produced a championship. — Kram

What the offseason revealed

From Golliver: Toronto had two compelling reasons to complete the Leonard trade.

After improving by 16 wins and ending a three-year playoff drought, the Raptors entered the summer with several substantial contracts and limited options for taking another step forward.

The clearest path to upgrading the roster involved packaging either Immanuel Quickley or Ingram with additional players or draft picks. Their salaries made such a move difficult, but Toronto ultimately sent Ingram, Dick, two first-rounders, a first-round swap and two second-round picks to the Clippers for Leonard.

The central objective was bringing Leonard back to the organization he led to the 2019 title. With a two-time Finals MVP on the roster, the Raptors are better equipped to challenge the Eastern Conference’s elite and pursue their first playoff-series win in six years.

The transaction also removes Ingram’s costly contract from the books. The two-time All-Star struggled to make an impact during the 2026 playoffs and is scheduled to earn $40 million in 2026-27 and $41.9 million in 2027-28.

Acquiring Ingram in 2025 and re-signing him were questionable decisions, but exchanging him for Leonard effectively corrected both mistakes.

The long-discussed deal became official Monday after the NBA completed its investigation and limited Leonard’s punishment to a $700,000 fine. Toronto responded by acquiring elite talent while erasing a costly roster misstep. — Golliver

The big question: How good can Scottie Barnes become?

Barnes’ continued development should not be overshadowed by Leonard’s return.

The 2021 lottery selection made a major leap during his age-24 season, improving his scoring efficiency, earning his first All-Defensive team honor and elevating his play against Cleveland in the playoffs.

Toronto lost the first-round series in seven games, but Barnes averaged 24.1 points, 6.1 rebounds, 8.6 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.7 blocks. Over the past decade, only LeBron James, Nikola Jokic and Cade Cunningham have matched that level of all-around playoff production.

Barnes belongs among the leading Defensive Player of the Year candidates. If his development and Toronto’s success continue, future MVP consideration may also be within reach. — Golliver

Basketball Power Index projection: No. 14

Here are the projected net points per 100 possessions for Toronto’s top seven players in 2026-27:

Leonard attempted a career-high 6.8 three-pointers per game last season and converted them at a 39% rate. Although that percentage was below his mark in each of the previous four seasons, the added volume increased his impact from plus-1.6 to plus-1.9 net points per 100 possessions on threes. The difference is modest but meaningful.

Leonard also followed an unusual developmental path, improving from a 25% three-point shooter in college to a 39% shooter in the NBA. — Dean Oliver

Biggest X-factor: Collin Murray-Boyles

Position: Power forward

Since Toronto agreed to acquire Leonard, the potential defensive combination of Leonard, Barnes and Murray-Boyles has generated considerable excitement. That trio could become the foundation of a lineup capable of pushing the Raptors toward the top of the conference.

Despite being only a second-year player who averaged 8.5 points as a rookie, Murray-Boyles could emerge as one of the league’s most important variables.

To maximize Toronto’s championship window with Leonard, he must take another significant step and establish himself as a small-ball center who can replace Jakob Poeltl in crucial late-game situations. — Kram

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