What happened: The NBA fined the Clippers $30 million, stripped five first-round picks from 2029-33 and assessed Leonard $700,000 after finding salary-cap circumvention violations. Toronto and Los Angeles agreed to the transaction June 30, then paused it in July.
Why it matters: The proposed return includes two first-round picks, two second-round picks and swaps, helping Los Angeles replenish draft capital after the league penalty. Toronto would reunite Leonard with the franchise he led to the 2019 championship.
By the numbers: Leonard averaged 27.9 points across 65 games in 2025-26. Toronto finished 46-36 before losing a seven-game first-round series.
What to watch: Formal league approval before 2026-27 training camp is the next checkpoint.