The city of Los Angeles has lost its two biggest basketball stars within hours of each other. First, LeBron James. Now, Kawhi Leonard.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Clippers ‘are nearing’ a deal to send Leonard back to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for forward Brandon Ingram, guard Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, a pick swap and two second-round picks.
This officially closes a chapter on one of the NBA’s biggest swing-and-misses as Leonard never managed to meet the lofty goal of bringing the Clippers a title alongside friend and former teammate Paul George.
Now, per Charania, Leonard is viewing this deal as a chance to retire with the team he led to an upset NBA championship in 2019 over the then-powerhouse Golden State Warriors.
But this also comes at a time where Leonard and his dealings with the Clippers are under immense scrutiny over a scandal involving a deal he signed with the now-bankrupt environmental company Aspiration which is alleged to have been used to circumvent the NBA’s salary cap.
Leonard moved to the Clippers just weeks after winning the 2019 title and earning Finals MVP with the Raptors to win the city’s first ‘Big Four’ pro sports title since the Toronto Blue Jays won back-to-back World Series in 1992 and 1993.
MORE TO FOLLOW.
