Raptors lineup projection with Kawhi Leonard: How former Clippers star fits with Scottie Barnes in Toronto
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Seven years after he defied the pleas of Raptors fans and joined the Clippers in a landscape-shifting free-agent move, Kawhi Leonard is north of the border once again.
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Toronto agreed to a deal Tuesday to bring the two-time NBA Finals MVP back to the franchise, sending two players, four draft picks and a pick swap to Los Angeles.
An extension is reportedly looming for Leonard, in an ironic twist of fate after the Raptors made the deal to bring him over from San Antonio eight years ago when he was adamant he wouldn't sign long-term with the franchise.
Here's a look at what the Raptors' lineup could look like with Leonard back in the fold.
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Kawhi Leonard trade details
Raptors receive:
- SF Kawhi Leonard
Clippers receive:
- F Brandon Ingram
- G Gradey Dick
- 2 first-round picks
- 2 second-round picks
- Pick swap
The Raptors are sending Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick to the Clippers along with two first-round picks, two second-round picks and one pick swap. Toronto and Leonard are reportedly expected to discuss an extension with Leonard, who is interested in signing long-term.
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Raptors 2026 lineup projection
Here's how the Raptors' starting five could shake out:
- PG Immanuel Quickley
- SG RJ Barrett
- SF Kawhi Leonard
- PF Scottie Barnes
- C Jakob Poeltl
The Raptors have completely overhauled just about everything since Leonard's exit in 2019, but they have plenty of talent waiting to play alongside the 35-year-old.
Leonard is set to slot into the small forward role, with Scottie Barnes, Jakob Poeltl and versatile second-year forward Collin Murray-Boyles also manning a talented frontcourt. RJ Barrett will be able to shift into more of a two-guard role, while Immanuel Quickley remains Toronto's starting point guard with support from high-effort role player Jamal Shead.
The Raptors also added Allen Graves in the first round of last week's NBA Draft, so they have plenty of forwards who can make an impact defensively.
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What Kawhi Leonard brings to Raptors lineup
Most importantly, the Raptors need Leonard to stay healthy. The 35-year-old is coming off a fairly healthy this season, but his injury history is lengthy and the Clippers weren't able to rely on him often in the playoffs.
Fortunately, Toronto has plenty of players who can impact the game the way Leonard does. Barnes and Murray-Boyles are do-it-all forwards, while Graves could turn into that type of player. That core, combined with the backcourt of Barrett, Quickley and Shead, knows how to work together and can hold its own if Leonard needs to sit out.
When Leonard is on the floor, he's someone who can take pressure off the rest of the Raptors' core offensively while still impacting the game at a high level defensively. Leonard proved last season that he can still be an efficient high-volume scorer. The Raptors have talented offensive players, but they were lacking a "1A" superstar.
Even if only for a couple of years, Leonard can be that player and allow teammates like Barnes and Barrett to focus on what they do best after Toronto's offense stalled often in the playoffs.