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NBA·TRADE·July 10, 2026 09:19 AM ET

Clippers pause Kawhi Leonard trade; Nuggets set steep price for Peyton Watson

Kawhi deal paused; Denver sets steep Watson price.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated Jul 101 min read
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What happened: The LA Clippers and Toronto Raptors have indefinitely paused their trade sending Kawhi Leonard to Canada over an ongoing league investigation into Los Angeles for alleged salary cap circumvention. Separately, the Denver Nuggets are seeking two first-round picks and two pick swaps for restricted free agent Peyton Watson, per Jake Fischer.

Why it matters: Toronto halted the Leonard deal to avoid inheriting potential sanctions directed at the player, though both organizations reportedly believe the transaction will eventually proceed. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers and Atlanta Hawks have balked at Denver's asking price for Watson, which mirrors the compensation the Utah Jazz received for Walker Kessler.

What to watch: Toronto will wait for the league's investigation to conclude before finalizing the Leonard acquisition, while the Nuggets evaluate whether any suitor will meet their demands.

Sources

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NBATradeAtlanta HawksDenver NuggetsLa ClippersKawhi LeonardPeyton Watson
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