Scottie Barnes believes the Toronto Raptors could become a far more dangerous team if Kawhi Leonard returns, joking that adding the two-time NBA Finals MVP would be like “trying to take candy from a baby.”
Speaking about the blockbuster trade, Barnes said: “Seems very dangerous… We’re trying to take candy from a baby essentially.”
The deal, agreed to by the Raptors and Clippers on June 30, would reunite Leonard with the franchise he led to its first NBA championship in 2019. However, the transaction remains on hold while the NBA investigates allegations that the Clippers circumvented salary-cap rules through a fraudulent endorsement agreement involving Aspiration. The Clippers have also stated the trade can only proceed if Raptors ownership accepts the risk of any potential penalties tied to Leonard’s contract.
If finalized, Toronto would receive Leonard, while the Clippers would acquire Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, a 2027 first-round pick swap, and second-round selections in 2030 and 2033.
Barnes’ comments reflect the optimism surrounding what Leonard could add to a Raptors team that already made the playoffs last season. Toronto finished 46-36, good for fifth place in the Eastern Conference, before pushing the Cleveland Cavaliers to seven games in the opening round. The Raptors forced a decisive Game 7 after trailing the series 2-0, but Cleveland closed out the matchup with a 114-102 victory.
Barnes earned his second All-Star selection during the 2025-26 campaign while continuing to establish himself as one of the NBA’s premier two-way forwards. The 24-year-old averaged 18.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.5 blocks across 80 games, shooting 50.7% from the field. He also finished fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting and was named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team.
Before being included in the proposed trade package, Brandon Ingram served as Toronto’s leading scorer, averaging 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists over 77 games while earning an All-Star selection. RJ Barrett added 19.3 points per game, and Immanuel Quickley contributed 16.4 points and 5.9 assists as the Raptors posted a 33-19 conference record.
Leonard, who turned 35 in June, would bring championship pedigree and elite postseason experience back to Toronto. During his lone previous season with the Raptors in 2018-19, he averaged 26.6 points in the regular season before elevating his play in the playoffs, leading the franchise to the NBA title and earning Finals MVP honors.
