Kawhi Leonard Trade Pause: Russell Sanders Weighs in on NBA Contract Investigation
On Thursday, July 9, 2026, the Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers announced that the proposed trade that would bring all-star forward Kawhi Leonard to Toronto would be paused pending the outcome of an NBA investigation into Leonard’s 2024 contract with Los Angeles.
In a recent Canadian Press article, partner Russell Sanders commented on the latest development in the trade saga, noting that he would have expected the issue to have been vetted internally by both sides before the transaction was announced. He also said it would be surprising if the Raptors were required to assume any liability connected to conduct that occurred under another owner’s roof.
Sanders also referenced two significant salary-cap circumvention controversies from the NHL and NBA. To read the full article, click here.
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Russell is a corporate lawyer who enjoys connecting with clients to build long-lasting relationships.
