Kawhi Leonard Toronto Raptors trade delay raises questions around a 'spite' move

With the NBA's investigation into Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers done and dusted, Toronto Raptors fans are all wondering when this trade will finally be processed.

The trade between the Clippers and Raptors, which would send Leonard to Toronto in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, and four draft picks, was put on pause by Toronto on July 9 and has remained stagnant ever since.

It's been more than a week since the NBA probe into Leonard and the Clippers wrapped up, with major disciplinary penalties handed down to LA — including the loss of five first-round picks and a one-year suspension for team owner Steve Ballmer — while Kawhi escaped with a $700,000 fine, a penalty some experts called a slap on the wrist.

Fans, and even some NBA insiders, are wondering why this trade hasn't gone through, and one insider has a theory that Los Angeles could be choosing to hold off in an attempt to get back at Leonard.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, people around the league are wondering aloud if the Clippers are holding off on the trade, or considering something even more drastic, "to spite Kawhi Leonard for accepting the league's punishment rather than pursuing an appeal."

League observers are wondering aloud if the Clippers are holding off on the trade or even “considering something even more drastic” to spite Kawhi Leonard for accepting the league’s punishment rather than pursuing an appeal, per @TheSteinLine

(https://t.co/t4yBWjoJqE) pic.twitter.com/otOhhsxej0

— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) September 10, 2026

Stein reported Thursday that the Raptors have voiced their eagerness to complete the trade as originally proposed after initially placing it on hold July 9. Leonard and his camp apparently share that belief as well.

So, technically, the ball is in the Clippers' court.

Earlier this week, it was reported that the delay was likely due to the impact of the NBA's discipline following its investigation.

With Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and head of basketball operations Lawrence Frank both suspended long-term for their roles in the alleged salary-cap circumvention, Stein says that general manager Trent Redden will take over decision-making within the franchise.

So, what are the Clippers' options if they really are trying to "spite" Kawhi?

Kawhi Leonard hits a jump shot over Toronto Raptors Scottie Barnes during the 2025-26 season. (Dan Hamilton/Imagn Images)

Besides accepting the deal as it is, there are two other ways the Clippers can proceed at this point. The first, and least likely, would be scrapping the trade entirely.

The reason why it's unlikely is the draft capital they'd receive from the Raptors if the trade goes through. The Clippers aren't going to let Leonard walk for nothing, and the fact that they'd be getting four draft picks in return after just having to give five up to the NBA is too enticing.

If the Clippers did choose the spite route, the more likely scenario would be delaying the deal while Ballmer, Frank and their legal team pursue an appeal case through the U.S. court system.

That would inconvenience Leonard by delaying his arrival in Toronto and potentially keeping him from playing games for the Raptors, since he's still under the Clippers' control until the trade goes through.

But the delay would also amount to a bit of self-sabotage for the Clippers.

Holding up the trade would prevent Los Angeles from moving forward with its roster and freeing up Leonard's $50.3 million cap hit in 2026-27. It would also likely complicate its relationships with incoming players Ingram and Dick before they've even played a single game for the franchise.

With NBA training camps opening on Sept. 29 and the deadline for rosters needing to be set by Oct. 19, those will be two important dates for fans to watch as this trade pause progresses.