Yet another NBA superstar not named Jaylen Brown has been traded before free agency even begins. On Tuesday afternoon, the Raptors acquired old friend Kawhi Leonard from the Clippers for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, and significant draft capital. It seems like a great move for all sides, and the vibes are solid all around.
BREAKING: The Los Angeles Clippers are nearing deal sending Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, 2 first-round picks, 1 pick swap and 2 second-rounders, sources tell ESPN. A return to Canada for the Raptors champion and two-time Finals MVP. pic.twitter.com/VovqGw5qS6
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2026
But it’s a fascinating and perhaps precautionary tale as the Celtics deal with a former Finals MVP of their own, Jaylen Brown.
Leonard was traded to the Raptors and won the 2019 title in his only year in Toronto. Yet, he still chose to leave for his beloved LA and has been with the Clippers ever since, largely falling short of his or the team’s basketball goals. And obviously, absence makes the heart grow fonder, and with maturity, people often realize the grass ain’t always greener.
And that has led us to this most unlikely reunion as Leonard, who spurned Toronto seven years ago, is happily headed back. It was reported that Kawhi wanted to go back to the Raptors, and in the brief moments after the trade, reports came in that Leonard was going to work out an extension with the Raptors and that he’d like to retire in Toronto.
It’s an incredible twist and one that should act as a good lesson for many people, not least of all Jaylen Brown. Now, this situation is far from apples-to-apples. The Raptors never wanted to break up with Leonard in the first place, whereas the Boston situation seems at least largely fueled by the team.
Grass wasn't greener for Kawhi, and likely won't be for Jaylen Brown
Still, the way things have gone lately, it appears reasonably likely that the Celtics aren’t going to find a trade for Brown and he may end up back in Boston. We’ve heard that JB is frustrated with the Celtics, and this trade interest certainly may be mutual, but it’s looking like making up will be better than breaking up for both sides.
Being frustrated is one thing. Letting it impact your career is another. Jaylen has every right to be upset, but he can’t let it affect his play on the court. He’s soon to be 30 years old, in the prime of his career, and with three years left on his contract. He has a chance to go out there and prove a point, buying in and partnering with Jayson Tatum and company to lock in and compete for another title.
Leonard and the Clippers were supposed to have a superteam with he and Paul George, but they fell short of expectations time and again before breaking down and breaking up. If JB gets "his own" team, he may put up numbers and be happy, but the chances of him leading another team to the title aren't likely.
He’s already a Celtics legend, and he can build on that even further over the next few years. Maybe he does want a change of scenery and a chance to do more, but right now, that opportunity isn’t out there. This situation may not be Brown’s fault, and he may be more of the victim than we realize, but if things don’t persist and he’s back in Boston, he should just look at Kawhi Leonard’s career path and understand that staying with the team (second team in Leonard’s case) where you became a Finals MVP may be the best outcome all along.
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