The Clippers and Toronto Raptors took steps Monday to complete the trade that would send Kawhi Leonard to the Raptors in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and draft picks, according to a league source.
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The trade, which has been in limbo for more than two months, has not yet been completed, but the sides are expected to hold a trade call.
The deal was initially agreed to in late June, but the Raptors halted the move nine days later because of the ongoing investigation into the Clippers for salary cap circumvention that involved Leonard. The NBA penalized the team $30 million, suspended both owner Steve Ballmer and Gillian Zucker, president of business operations, for a year and Lawrence Frank, president of basketball operations for six months.
The disciplinary actions were announced by Commissioner Adam Silver on Sept. 2 after the law firm Wachtell, Lipton Rosen & Katz completed its investigation and shared its findings with the league.
Although Leonard was said to have violated the circumvention rules through his longtime business adviser, Dennis Robertson, he was not suspended, nor was his contract voided. He was required to pay the NBA a $700,000 fine.
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He now is clear to join the Raptors, which he led to the 2019 NBA title when he was named Finals MVP.
In addition to Ingram, a two-time All-Star, and Dick, a shooting guard, the Clippers will receive unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, a 2027 first-round pick swap, and second-round picks in 2030 and 2033.
News of the trade comes a day after Ballmer accepted the penalties handed down by the NBA.