Kawhi Leonard envisions ending his career with the Toronto Raptors, sources told ESPN/

Three factors made Leonard express a preference to be traded back to the Raptors, as his comfort with a Toronto organization that has retained the majority of its front office structure under executive vice president Bobby Webster, his affection for the city itself, and his belief that the Raptors can compete in the Eastern Conference cited by sources.

Leonard had preferred to remain with the Los Angeles Clippers but the franchise made no long-term commitment to him this offseason, leaving his representatives to inform teams across the league that he would only sign an extension with Toronto if a trade could be arranged.

Upon completing the move, Leonard will be eligible to sign a two-year, $123.7 million extension with his new team.

The two-time Finals MVP spent just one season in Toronto after arriving in a trade from the San Antonio Spurs in July 2018, leading the Raptors to the 2019 NBA title and earning Finals MVP honors.

Leonard left Toronto as a free agent to join the Clippers in 2019, where he spent seven seasons before the franchise opted to move in a younger direction. 

While Leonard dealt with a number of injuries with the Clippers, he is coming off a healthy 2025-26 season in which he was a second-team All-NBA selection.

The Detroit Pistons and Dallas Mavericks were among the other teams with interest in Leonard.