The Toronto Raptors have reportedly temporarily rescinded their trade for Kawhi Leonard. It's a direct response to the NBA informing Toronto that it would incur potential penalties if the Association's investigation into the LA Clippers finds Leonard guilty of any wrongdoing.
The Detroit Pistons can thus breathe a sigh of relief that they didn't follow through on their interest in Leonard, as their offseason would've been placed on hold in hopes of a trade going through that may ultimately be called off.
Brian Windhorst of ESPN reported in June that the Pistons would be "in line" to acquire Leonard if the Clippers ultimately opted to trade him. LA instead agreed to a deal with Toronto, but had they completed a transaction with Detroit, the Pistons would be in the potentially disastrous situation the Raptors are now attempting to navigate.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the Raptors will not finalize their trade for Leonard until after the NBA's ongoing investigation has concluded.
Developing: The Los Angeles Clippers-Toronto Raptors trade centered on Kawhi Leonard will not be complete until the NBA investigation into the Clippers is over. Statement from the Clippers to ESPN:
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 9, 2026
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For the past 10 months, our organization has fully cooperated with an NBA…
Charania proceeded to note that the Raptors were informed that they would "assume the risk" of any potential penalties that would come about if the NBA rules against Leonard.
Raptors: "...the NBA league office informed us that as a result of the ongoing investigation involving the Clippers, we would assume the risk of any potential outcome of the investigation impacting Kawhi.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 9, 2026
In light of this, we will wait until the league's investigation is… https://t.co/8Zl5qLtscW
The Raptors made sure to note that they expect the trade to go through once the investigation has been completed, but their offseason is effectively on hold until a ruling is made.
Raptors' Kawhi Leonard trade on hold until NBA completes investigation
It's entirely possible that the NBA's investigation will turn out positively for Leonard and the Raptors. In that scenario, the trade would go through, Toronto would gain a two-time NBA champion and Finals MVP, and all of the concerns over what this may ultimately mean will be immediately squashed.
The other possibility, however, is that the trade will ultimately be called off and the Raptors will have to return to the open market well after the big names have been signed by other teams.
Had the Pistons found themselves in the Raptors' situation, that's the exact outcome they would've been forced to stare down. Considering Detroit is still attempting to figure out what the future holds for All-NBA center Jalen Duren, its entire offseason would've been shrouded in mystery.
Coming off of a 60-win season and having already traded Isaiah Stewart to the Memphis Grizzlies, the Pistons simply couldn't afford such hardship or uncertainty.
Instead, Detroit has been able to add efficient shooters to its rotation, including John Collins, Isaiah Joe, and Taurean Prince. There are still question marks revolving around Duren's future, but the Pistons have at least been able to build out their rotation.
There's no way around how great a trio of Cade Cunningham, Duren, and Leonard could've been, but the Pistons have been vindicated for not going all-in on the seven-time All-NBA honoree.
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