One of the key reasons the Clippers have not yet finalized the trade of F Kawhi Leonard to the Raptors is because the Clippers are “still working through their new front office structure” after the penalties handed down by the NBA as a result of the league’s cap circumvention investigation, according to sources cited by the STEIN LINE’s Jake Fischer. Owner Steve Ballmer and President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank were both suspended, Ballmer for the 2026-27 season, and Frank for six months (X, 9/8). THE ATHLETIC’s Amick & Murray cited sources saying that the Raptors, Leonard’s camp and the camps of other prominent players in the trade “remain very confident it will go through soon.” The widespread belief is Clippers GM Trent Redden “would fill that role” of President of Basketball Operations, but the team has not publicly revealed its plans. If the deal goes down in the next day or so, “none of this will ultimately matter, but given the Clippers’ intense response to the league’s ruling,” and how owner Ballmer has “made it abundantly clear he intends to fight back by whatever means necessary, it’s fair to wonder what might come next here.” Especially considering the role Leonard played in the process (THE ATHLETIC, 9/8).

HOW THIS WILL PLAY OUT: In Toronto, Doug Smith wrote there is “no rush” in completing the trade as neither team is “going to do anything else at this point of the off-season; as long as it’s all done before the end of September, that’s fine.” But the idea of “rejigging the trade” seems “to be one of the more popular theories being bandied about.” Smith added fans can “all understand that trying to get an edge on a sports adversary is the goal of every executive.” Raptors GM Bobby Webster “wants to win every trade but reneging on an agreed-to transaction, for whatever reason, is not how honourable men operate.” Webster is, “above all, a man of honour.” Smith: “How’s he going to look every other GM in the eye and say “we have a deal” if he walks away from this one? Is it worth the hit to his well-earned reputation earned over more than 20 years in the league? It isn’t to me.” The Clippers are not “in a place of ‘demanding’ changes to the deal, they need to start restocking the draft cupboard and this is a good first step” (TORONTO STAR, 9/8).