2 First-Round Picks, 1 Swap + Expiring Contract: Are the Clippers Pressuring the Raptors? Analyst Says No

The Clippers and Raptors' trade involving Kawhi Leonard has not fallen through because of the league's penalties. According to joint reports from multiple The Athletic reporters, the deal is still expected to move forward as originally planned, but it must wait for the Clippers to first sort out their internal management situation — with the owner suspended for one year and the president of basketball operations suspended for six months, other people will need to step in to push the trade across the finish line.

The assets the Clippers are sending in this deal are clear: Leonard in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Dick, two first-round picks, one first-round pick swap, and two second-round picks. Analyst Hollinger believes the possibility of the Clippers canceling the trade is very small — the team urgently needs these draft assets, and Leonard's contract is entering its final year. If they keep him, his trade value will quickly decline.

As for whether the Raptors would take the opportunity to lower the price, Hollinger gave a negative assessment. He stated that NBA trades are built on trust (reputation), and if two sides have already reached an agreement and one side tries to lower the price at the last minute, that kind of move would quickly spread throughout the league, with the damage to the team's reputation far outweighing any short-term benefit. In other words, the Raptors would not make changes at this stage because of their reputation.

The trade still needs to wait for the Clippers' management to complete its internal adjustments, but all parties expect the move involving the All-Star forward to be completed according to the original plan.