Ingram-to-Clippers Trade Stuck in Limbo as NBA Probe Drags On
The Kawhi-for-Ingram swap was agreed June 30, then frozen nine days later. An NBA cap investigation could push a resolution into 2027.
Draft him as a Raptor until the trade actually clears the league office.
- Kawhi-for-Ingram deal agreed June 30, frozen July 9
- Ingram: 21.5 pts, 35.9 FPTS/G in 2025-26 (actual)
- Investigation could stretch into 2027 per report
- Clippers projected 9th-12th in West this year
- Kawhi: 45.9 FPTS/G, our #9 overall, in 2025-26
Here's the problem with every Clippers rotation projection you've read this summer: the trade underneath it isn't official. LA and Toronto agreed to a deal sending Kawhi Leonard to the Raptors for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and a package of picks on June 30. Nine days later, both teams announced it was on hold.
The freeze stems from an NBA investigation into whether the Clippers circumvented the salary cap to pay Leonard, tied to a collapsed endorsement deal with the company Aspiration. One report suggests the case could stretch into 2027 if the league and the players' union can't agree on findings. Adam Silver wants it wrapped before next season, but has admitted it's already dragged longer than he'd like. The Clippers deny funneling any money to Leonard.
Why This Matters for Your Draft
Most analysis has plowed ahead as if the deal is done, penciling Ingram into a starting job and Dick into the wing rotation. That's a reasonable bet, but it's still a bet. Until the league signs off, both players technically remain Raptors, and the entire shape of two rosters hangs on a law firm's timeline rather than a coach's.
For fantasy purposes, Ingram is the name that moves the needle. He averaged 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists across 77 games in 2025-26 (actual), good for 35.9 fantasy points per game and our #48 overall rank, #18 among forwards. His last five games ran +3.1 above his season average, so he's trending up regardless of jersey. A move to LA changes his role and shot volume, but not enough to torpedo his mid-round value.
Gradey Dick is the afterthought here, and rightly so. He posted just 6 points and 10.8 fantasy points per game in 76 games last season (2025-26), landing at #349 overall, with his last five games sitting 6.5 points below his own modest average. He's a deep-league dart throw at best, and a Clippers move would only muddy his minutes further.
The Move
Draft Ingram where he sits now and don't overthink the address. If the trade clears, he's a mid-round forward wherever he lands; if it collapses, he's still a Raptors starter putting up 35-plus fantasy points a night. Kawhi, our #9 overall at 45.9 FPTS/G in 2025-26, is the one whose ceiling actually swings on the ruling. Leave Dick and Johni Broome on the wire until there's a rotation worth speculating about.
