Kawhi Leonard Returns to Toronto: Fantasy Basketball Fallout From Blockbuster Clippers-Raptors Trade

We had another big NBA trade go down, so let's dive into that here!

We will discuss the trade between the Los Angeles Clippers and Toronto Raptors.

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Trade Details and Stats

The Raptors acquired Kawhi Leonard in the deal. Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, two second-round picks and a pick swap were the return.

Leonard has dealt with injuries over his 14-year career, but he played 65 games in 2025-26 for LA. He averaged 32.1 minutes a night, while also averaging 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.9 steals and 0.4 blocks per night.

It was one of Leonard's best seasons ever (if not the best). Now, he gets to go back to play for the Raptors, who he was with in the 2018-19 season. Of course, Toronto won it all that year.

Ingram is 28 years old and has played in the league for 10 years now. He too has some injury issues, but he logged 77 games for the Raptors in 2025-26. He averaged 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 0.8 steals and 0.7 blocks over 33.8 minutes a night.

Ingram isn't the level of player that Leonard is, but he can match most of what Leonard did, and effectively fills that spot on the roster, as he can play the same spots.

Dick is 22 years old now and has played 190 games over three NBA seasons. He played in 76 games last year, but started just once. He averaged 6 points, 1.9 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.1 blocks over 14 minutes a contest.

Dick started and averaged much better numbers in the 2024-25 season, so LA is hoping to unlock that player again.

Raptors' Outlook with Leonard

Toronto was the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference last year, so adding Leonard is a shot in the arm, and makes the team a better contender.

Leonard will start at a forward spot, with Scottie Barnes serving as the other forward. Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett are the projected starting guards, while Jakob Poeltl is the projected center for now. 

That's a very solid starting five, but even at his advanced age, Leonard will lead the way. He will be a high-end fantasy player - now he just needs to stay healthy.

Jamal Shead, Ja'Kobe Walter, Allen Graves, Collin Murray-Boyles, Trayce Jackson-Davis, Jamison Battle and A.J. Lawson are some notable bench players, for now. There's not many good/great players in that mix, so depth signings and additions should be the team's focus the remainder of the offseason.

A pretty healthy season from the team's starting five means the Raptors should make the playoffs with ease, and maybe be a top-four seed. That starting five could push for a deep postseason run, but to really push some of the top teams in the East, I think more depth is needed.

We'll see what else the Raptors do this offseason, but for now, the deal for Kawhi signals that the team is more interested in winning now than worrying about their future.

Clippers' Outlook Minus Kawhi

Los Angeles did pretty well in the return for Leonard, and still should be able to compete for a playoff spot in the West with its current roster.

Ingram replaces Leonard in the starting lineup, and is expected to have Derrick Jones Jr. at the other starting forward spot. Darius Garland and Keaton Wagler are the projected guard starters, while Brook Lopez is the top center for now.

That's a pretty good starting five, and gives the team a chance to make a playoff push. A deep postseason run doesn't seem super likely, unless Wagler delivers huge in his rookie year, or something.

Kris Dunn, Bennedict Mathurin, Baba Miller, Isaiah Jackson, Kobe Sanders and Dick are some of the bench options, at least for now.

There's good enough depth there to give the Clippers a pretty solid roster overall. It lacks top-end talent, but LA could make a little noise this coming year.

I'm intrigued to see what else the Clippers do this offseason. I wouldn't be surprised to see more trades, or at least some free agent signings made to bolster the roster a bit more.

Down Leonard, many are going to count the Clippers out, but I think they could still make the playoffs. The picks they got will help them build for even more success in the years to come.

I see Ingram being a pretty good fantasy asset for LA. He just needs to stay healthy and he should be an above-average fantasy asset.

Dick could carve out a role off the bench, but he is pretty buried on the depth chart right now. More offseason moves could help his cause, but I only see him as a deep-league asset right now.