Clippers, Raptors in talks over Kawhi Leonard; no interest in Boston's Jaylen Brown
The Los Angeles Clippers and Toronto Raptors are reportedly negotiating a trade for Kawhi Leonard, while the Clippers have indicated they are not pursuing Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown.
The Los Angeles Clippers and Toronto Raptors are engaged in trade discussions centered on forward Kawhi Leonard, according to NBA insiders Marc Stein and Jake Fischer. The two outlets said the clubs are having "serious dialogue" and that there is a "sense of clear momentum" in the talks.
"We aren't planning to make a run" at Boston's Jaylen Brown, the reporters added, confirming that the Clippers have no intention of targeting the Celtics guard.
Leonard, who turned 35 this week, is entering the final year of his contract for the 2026-27 season. After a season in which he posted a career-high 27.9 points per game and earned All-NBA Second Team honors, trade speculation intensified. An earlier report indicated Leonard told the Clippers he would only consider re-signing with a team that included the Raptors, the franchise where he won a championship in 2019.
The Raptors are viewed as the leading suitor because a deal could potentially include Leonard’s commitment to stay beyond the upcoming season. Meanwhile, Boston’s Jaylen Brown, who posted a career-high 28.7 points per game and finished sixth in MVP voting, remains the subject of separate trade interest, but the Clippers have ruled him out as a replacement for Leonard.