Rumors

Omer Osman: DeMar DeRozan on if he still senses love from the fans whenever he plays in Toronto: “Yeah. This’ll always be home for me. 9 years of my career. This was the foundation of me as a basketball player, as a human being. This was my first home. This was the first everything for me. Nothing will ever replace that. Everything that I created with all these guys that’s here, I had the opportunity to play with. For me, it’s always going to be number one.” ❤️

x.com

Josh Lewenberg: The Kawhi Leonard trade has been approved by the league. It's officially official. Bobby Webster: "We're thrilled to welcome Kawhi back to Toronto. His impact on our organization is undeniable... We believe his leadership, experience and talent will help us build toward our next championship"

bsky.app

Marc Stein: UPDATE to Friday’s update: The league office trade call to formally approve Kawhi Leonard’s trade from the LA Clippers back to Toronto is taking place tonight, league sources confirm.

Twitter

Shams Charania: Done deal: The LA Clippers and Raptors have both agreed to complete the trade sending Kawhi Leonard to Toronto for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks, one first-round pick swap and two second-rounders, per ESPN sources. The sides will now schedule a trade call.

x.com

Josh Lewenberg: Toronto's offer of 2 unprotected 1sts (which, by all accounts, remains on the table) is more than any team was offering for Kawhi. Can't imagine that's changed. If the Clippers wanna apologize to their fans they can start by recouping some of the picks they needlesly tossed away.

x.com

Jake Fischer: I would not read Steve Ballmer accepting the NBA’s investigation findings and penalties as any indicator the trade of Kawhi Leonard to the Raptors will be completed imminently. Still sounds like the Clippers’ aren’t quite ready to get back on the phone with Toronto, even though, as @TheSteinLine reported, the NBA league office would process a trade call without an interim governor in place.

x.com

But those close to the situation remain confident that the deal to bring Leonard to Toronto (and send Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick to Los Angeles) will go through sooner rather than later. Procedurally, the Clippers still need to appoint a team governor and top basketball executive to sign off on things, so that's considered to be the main reason the deal — first agreed to back on June 30 — remains in limbo.

SportsNet

Bray: Kawhi Leonard spotted in downtown Miami, he was asked if he is coming to Toronto🔥 Kawhi: “I hope so…we gonna win”

x.com

Jake Fischer: Prime among reasons why Kawhi Leonard's trade to Toronto has yet to be finalized: Sources tell @TheSteinLine and me the Clippers are still working through their new front office structure after NBA suspensions for Steve Ballmer, Lawrence Frank.

x.com

Could Toronto try to turn the screws and ask LA to take less? Again, unlikely. NBA deals are made on trust, and word quickly spreads about those who try to squirm out of completed agreements. Additionally, the Raptors aren’t exactly operating from a position of strength either; the rest of the offseason is over, and they have no Plan B to pivot to for 2026-27 if they can’t complete the Leonard trade.

New York Times

Shams Charania: Kawhi Leonard, through his new agent, Harrison Gaines, issues statement: “Integrity and respect for this game are fundamental to who I am. I accept full responsibility for lapses in judgment by people within my inner circle and regret the distraction this situation has caused the fans and my family. I entered into my contract with the Clippers as well as the agreements in question in good faith, fully committed to fulfilling my obligations and with no knowledge of any intent on anyone's part to circumvent the salary cap. For 15 years, my priority has been giving everything to my family, the game, and those I share the court with. As I return to Toronto, I am focused on what I can control, closing this chapter, and moving forward with a clean slate."

x.com

The Clippers agreed on June 30 to trade Leonard to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and draft picks. But the deal is on hold after the Raptors learned they would be taking on the risk for any penalties that Leonard might face -- such as a possible suspension or his contract being voided -- as a result of the investigation. Leonard and his agent and business attorney, Harrison Gaines, have had conversations with the players union over the last few weeks, and there has been no indication that he will face a voided contract, according to a source with direct knowledge of the talks. Leonard and the Raptors are both operating as though the trade will be completed and reunite him with Toronto, according to team sources.

ESPN

Law Murray: For the second time in six seasons, the LA Clippers will have a back-to-back involving the USA-Canada border on New Year’s Eve and New Year Day. Clippers at Cleveland on December 31; Clippers at Toronto on January 1

bsky.app

Marc Stein: Sources say Nate Mitchell, formerly an assistant with Charlotte, Toronto and Milwaukee and a member of Canada's NT staff, has emerged as a prime candidate to join the Mavericks as head coach of their @TexasLegends G League team.

Twitter