Kawhi Leonard's path back to Toronto

Kawhi Leonard is set to return to Toronto seven years after helping the Raptors win their first NBA championship. The Canadian Press timeline tracks his journey from the 2018 trade to his 2026 return. The timeline begins with Toronto acquiring Leonard and Danny Green from the San Antonio Spurs in July 2018 in a deal that sent DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl and a protected firstround pick to San Antonio. It follows Leonard's debut, major playoff moments, and the Raptors' 2019 title run, including his serieswinning shot against Philadelphia and Toronto's Finals victory over Golden State, when he was named NBA Finals MVP. The article also notes Leonard's departure to the Los Angeles Clippers in July 2019, his 2021 ACL surgery, and the later NBA investigation into an alleged endorsement deal tied to Aspiration. That probe led to a temporary hold on the RaptorsClippers trade in 2026 before the league declined to suspend Leonard or void his contract, allowing the move back to Toronto to be completed on Sept. 14, 2026.