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RAPTORS HIT THE BRAKES<\/p>\n
The Toronto Raptors are reportedly refusing to complete their blockbuster trade for Kawhi Leonard, unwilling to inherit any potential NBA sanctions if the league ultimately rules against the Los Angeles Clippers in its ongoing investigation.<\/p>\n
According to ESPN NBA insider Ramona Shelburne<\/a>, the Raptors will not finalise the trade because any fines or penalties issued after the deal is completed would become Toronto\u2019s responsibility.<\/p>\n One franchise has slammed the brakes on a blockbuster trade, while another isn\u2019t done building its championship roster.Source: AP<\/p>\n \u201cThe Raptors are refusing to complete the trade for Kawhi Leonard because they are unwilling to take on the risk of potential NBA penalties,\u201d Shelburne reported.<\/p>\n \u201cThey are not willing to assume those risks.\u201d<\/p>\n The proposed deal would send Leonard to Toronto, while the Clippers would receive Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, a first-round pick swap and two second-round selections.<\/p>\n The latest development is another major obstacle in what has become one of the NBA\u2019s most complex off-season storylines.<\/p>\n According to ESPN\u2019s Vince Goodwill,<\/a> Clippers owner Steve Ballmer is prepared to launch an aggressive legal challenge if the NBA imposes sanctions against him.<\/p>\n \u201cSteve Ballmer can lawyer up as well as anybody,\u201d Goodwill said.<\/p>\n ‘In Australia we say that all the time!’ | 01:48<\/p>\n The NBA\u2019s investigation, which has now stretched close to 10 months, centres on allegations the Clippers violated league rules. The organisation has consistently denied any wrongdoing.<\/p>\n Earlier this week, ESPN reported the investigation could extend into 2027 if the NBA and the parties involved fail to agree on the league\u2019s findings or any proposed disciplinary action.<\/p>\n Sources with knowledge of the matter also told ESPN that the National Basketball Players Association would not hesitate to challenge any penalties through arbitration if it believed the league lacked sufficient evidence.<\/p>\n Despite the uncertainty, Shelburne reported the Clippers are \u201cquite fine\u201d keeping Leonard should the trade ultimately collapse.<\/p>\n Former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins believes that\u2019s exactly what Toronto should force to happen.<\/p>\n \u201cIf I\u2019m the Toronto Raptors, I\u2019m finding a way to get up out of this deal. I\u2019m finding a way to back out,\u201d Perkins said on ESPN\u2019s NBA Today.<\/p>\n READ MORE<\/p>\n INSIDE LEBRON\u2019S DECISION: 27 teams, one secret meeting and a $44m pay cut<\/a><\/p>\n PATTY MILLS\u2019 HOMECOMING? Boomer GOAT\u2019s reunion with Spurs icon thrown into doubt as sudden $57m slash <\/a><\/p>\n WHY HARDEN REMAINS UNSIGNED<\/p>\n Despite remaining one of the NBA\u2019s biggest unsigned stars, James Harden\u2019s return to the Cleveland Cavaliers appears to be only a matter of time.<\/p>\n After declining his $42.3 million player option for the 2026-27 season, Harden is yet to put pen to paper on a new deal, but the delay is reportedly strategic rather than a sign of uncertainty.<\/p>\n