Kawhi Leonard-Clippers Scandal Leads Ex-Player to Question Brandon Ingram’s Future

Brandon Ingram will be moving to the Clippers after Kawhi Leonard's trade to the Raptors.

Kawhi Leonard-Clippers Scandal Leads Ex-Player to Question Brandon Ingram’s Future

Chandler Parsons on Brandon Ingram (Image credits - Larry Brown Sports and Yahoo Sports)

There were reports that the Kawhi Leonard–Brandon Ingram trade between the Los Angeles Clippers and Toronto Raptors may be put on hold for a year due to NBA investigations into the Clippers. Both players were coming off impressive 2025-26 campaigns individually.

Leonard and the Clippers were caught up in several alleged scandals over the past year. Investigations by Pablo Torre revealed that the Clippers and Leonard made multiple hidden sponsorship deals to circumvent the salary cap.

The NBA completed its investigation into the alleged scandals a few days ago. The ruling stated that the Clippers will be stripped of five first-round picks. However, it also meant Leonard’s trade to the Raptors will go through, and Ingram will move to the Clippers.

Former NBA star Chandler Parsons weighed in on Ingram’s state of mind after his move to LA.

Picture Brandon Ingram. He gets traded. He’s going to LA; it’s all peachy. And now this. There’s no real future.

Chandler Parsons on Run It Back

It is fair to say that the partnership of Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers ended up being a total disaster. When Leonard joined the organization as a free agent in 2019, he was coming off a historic championship with the Raptors.

Unfortunately, his stint with the Clippers will be remembered for his constant injury struggles and all the scandals over the past year. While Leonard may have gotten away with a light punishment, as he was fined just $700k, Chandler Parsons believes the real loser of the trade is Ingram, as he will be joining a team with a lot of uncertainty regarding its future.

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The Clippers do have some talent with Brandon Ingram at the helm

Many predict the 2026-27 campaign is going to be a long season for the Clippers. With the Clippers having to forfeit five first-round picks from 2029 to 2033 after the NBA ruling, their plans to rebuild their team for the future after trading Leonard have taken a big hit.

After sports reporter Michelle Beadle said the Clippers are in the worst situation heading into the new season, Parsons did see some positives for the team’s future.

They do have Brandon Ingram. They have Darius Garland. We’ll see how good Wagler can be early. They signed players like Rui. They have talent but we know how deep the Western Conference is. At least they’re the Clippers and they are Los Angeles, so maybe they can get some luck in free agency.

Chandler Parsons on Run It Back

It is never easy for the players when the organization is going through a lot of uncertainty and issues off the court. Brandon Ingram is coming off a strong 2025-26 campaign with the Raptors.

Ingram played an instrumental role in leading the Raptors to the playoffs as he averaged 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 77 appearances last season. The Raptors were one of the biggest surprises last season, mainly due to Ingram’s performances. Clippers fans will be hoping to see the same from the former number two pick next season.

Kawhi Leonard is ready to open a new chapter in Toronto

After the NBA ruling, it could be said that Leonard is the winner after getting fined just $700k. His stint with the Clippers could be seen as a disaster. When the Clippers signed Leonard, they were supposed to kick-start a new era in LA. Unfortunately, seven years later, their best postseason run came in 2021 when they reached the Western Conference Finals.

Kawhi Leonard
Kawhi Leonard (Image credits – Yahoo Sports)

However, it looks like Leonard wants to leave his troubles behind and start a new chapter in Toronto. He released a statement through his agent, Harrison Gaines, saying:

I entered into my contract with the Clippers as well as the agreements in question in good faith, fully committed to fulfilling my obligations and with no knowledge of any intent on anyone’s part to circumvent the salary cap. As I return to Toronto, I am focused on what I can control, closing this chapter, and moving forward with a clean slate.

Kawhi Leonard in his statement

Leonard returns to the Raptors after seven years. He spent just one season in Toronto, but he is already revered by the fans as he led them to their first and only championship in 2019. The 35-year-old was the central player in their 2019 championship run, and they will be hoping that he can pull it off once again next season.

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