Clippers Accused Of Holding Up Raptors Trade To Spite Kawhi Leonard

The Los Angeles Clippers are still reeling in the aftermath of a cap circumvention scandal. For their part in helping Kawhi Leonard secure millions in off-the-court, “no-show” endorsement deals, the franchise had to give up five first-round picks and $30 million, culminating in one of the most severe penalties in NBA history.

Through it all, Kawhi escaped the scandal relatively unscathed. Besides a $700K fine, he didn’t face any major consequences, and even his trade to the Toronto Raptors remains completely untouched. And yet, even now, the Clippers have yet to finalize the trade, leading some executives to suspect they are considering some sort of revenge against Leonard for how he’s turned his back on the team.

“The Raptors, I’m told, are eager to consummate the trade after initially placing it on hold July 9 (to guard against a Leonard suspension or the outright voiding of his contract) and still firmly believe that the deal will happen as agreed upon and intended. Ditto for Leonard and his camp,” wrote NBA insider Marc Stein. “Yet the delay has naturally led some league observers to wonder aloud whether the Clippers are holding off — or considering something even more drastic — to spite Leonard for so readily accepting the league’s punishment rather than invoking his right to pursue an appeal. Any formal appeal within the NBA’s auspices in such matters, remember, must be initiated by the player in question rather than the team according to league by-laws.”

The Clippers have given up everything for Kawhi, and they set themselves back 10 years just to make him happy. From his very arrival, Kawhi was making outlandish requests and even forced the Clippers to give up five first-round picks (along with future MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) in a deal for Paul George. By the end, the total cost of Leonard’s services amounts to 10 first-round picks (not counting SGA), and it was all for a team that never made the Finals.

So when the Clippers were caught holding the bag in the cap circumvention scandal, they naturally expected some level of cooperation from Leonard, someone they moved heaven and earth to appease. Instead, he settled with the NBA right away, avoiding more severe penalties while stripping the Clippers of any power to fight back.

Ultimately, with no options but to accept their position, the Clippers are still deciding what to do next. While they claim the front office suspensions are what’s holding up the trade, holding it up is arguably the best way to get back at Leonard. If his Raptors reunion continues to stall or is called off completely, it would make things very awkward for Kawhi, who has already gotten settled in his new city.

We have no way of knowing the intentions of the Clippers here, but every day the trade doesn’t happen only adds to the speculation. While the franchise may not have ill-will toward Kawhi, they certainly do not owe him their loyalty, and they might want to think twice before just letting him have his way.