TORONTO (AP) — Kawhi Leonard’s return to the Toronto Raptors could be back on now that there’s a resolution to the NBA’s investigation into salary cap circumvention rules during the seven-time All-Star’s time with the Los Angeles Clippers.
On Wednesday, the NBA imposed a sweeping punishment against the Clippers for violating salary cap circumvention rules, including suspending owner Steve Ballmer for one year, fining the team $30 million, forcing the organization to forfeit five first-round draft picks and fining Leonard $700,000.
Leonard was not suspended for any games, raising questions about what's next for the two-time NBA Finals MVP.
The Raptors and Clippers struck a deal on June 30 on a trade that would send Leonard back to the team he helped lead to the 2019 NBA championship. The Raptors agreed to send Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round draft picks, two second-round picks and pick swaps to the Clippers.
In July, the trade was put on hold pending the outcome of the NBA’s investigation.
The Raptors have declined to comment on the status of the deal to acquire Leonard now that the league has announced the fallout from its investigation.
Leonard, 35, is coming off the highest-scoring season of his career, averaging 27.9 points while playing 65 games last year with the Clippers.
A seven-time All-NBA selection and two-time NBA champion, Leonard is considered one of the game’s top defensive players. He also won the 2014 NBA title with San Antonio.
In Toronto, Leonard would join a roster led by two-time All-Star Scottie Barnes, Canadian star RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and talented youngster Collin Murray-Boyles.
The Raptors finished 46-36 in 2025-26 and took the Cleveland Cavaliers to seven games in a first-round playoff series defeat. It was Toronto’s first playoff appearance in four years.
So far this summer, the Raptors have signed general manager Bobby Webster to a multiyear contract extension and promoted him to executive vice president, and agreed to a multiyear extension with coach Darko Rajakovic.
On July 7, Leonard was in the front row at Kyle Lowry’s Toronto news conference when Lowry announced he was retiring as a member of the Raptors. Ingram attended a Clippers Summer League game in Las Vegas on July 10.
The NBA began investigating in September 2025 whether a $28 million endorsement contract between Leonard and Aspiration Fund Adviser LLC — a company that filed for bankruptcy last year — broke league rules, following a report by journalist Pablo Torre. Earlier this year, Aspiration co-founder Joseph Sanberg was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to defrauding investors and lenders of at least $248 million.
See AP’s full NBA coverage here
FILE - Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard warms up before an NBA basketball game April 10, 2026, in Portland, Ore. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia & MANAMA, Bahrain--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 3, 2026--
The Kingdom of Bahrain has signed its Participation Contract for Expo 2030 Riyadh, marking a new phase in preparations for its participation in the World Expo.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260903144412/en/
The agreement provides the formal framework for Bahrain’s participation in Expo 2030 Riyadh, enabling preparations to advance across the key organizational and operational aspects of its presence throughout the six-month event, including the development of its pavilion, programmes and visitor experiences.
The Participation Contract was signed in Bahrain by Talal Al-Marri, Chief Executive Officer of Expo 2030 Riyadh, on behalf of Expo 2030 Riyadh, and His Excellency Sheikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, on behalf of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
His Excellency Sheikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa President of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, commented: “Bahrain’s participation in Expo 2030 Riyadh reflects the deep-rooted fraternal and historic ties between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as well as the growing cooperation between the two countries across a wide range of fields.”
He added, “The signing of the Participation Contract marks an important milestone in Bahrain’s preparations for Expo 2030 Riyadh and reflects the Kingdom’s commitment to playing an active role in this global event. Bahrain looks forward to presenting a participation that showcases its identity, achievements and future aspirations, while further strengthening its presence on the international stage. We aim to deliver a comprehensive national presence that reflects the significance of the event and the global platform it provides for cultural and knowledge exchange and building partnerships.”
Talal Al-Marri, Chief Executive Officer of Expo 2030 Riyadh, said: “The signing of Bahrain’s Participation Contract marks an important step in the preparations for Expo 2030 Riyadh and reflects the growing momentum as participating countries move from confirming their participation to delivering what they will bring to Riyadh in 2030. As Participation Contracts are signed, Expo 2030 Riyadh is increasingly taking shape through the pavilions, programmes and experiences that participating countries will bring to visitors. We look forward to working closely with the Bahrain team in the next phase and to seeing a distinctive participation come to life – one that reflects Bahrain’s vision, culture and ambitions, while enriching the overall Expo 2030 Riyadh experience.”
The signing of Bahrain’s Participation Contract marks an important milestone in its journey towards Expo 2030 Riyadh, moving its participation from the confirmation and preparation stage into planning and implementation. Bahrain is also expected to develop a sustainable pavilion designed to remain beyond the six-month event and become part of the Global Village, a key component of Expo 2030 Riyadh’s enduring legacy.
More than 145 countries have confirmed their participation in Expo 2030 Riyadh, with formal Participation Contracts beginning to follow as preparations advance. This includes the recent signing of France’s Participation Contract last month in Paris, on the sidelines of the visit of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to France.
This momentum in international participation builds on the recent signing of the See Agreement between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE), which establishes the legal and administrative framework governing the participation of countries and international organisations. It also reflects the tangible progress across the broader preparations for Expo 2030 Riyadh. Development of the Expo site, infrastructure and construction works continues at pace, alongside the advancement of operational planning and the development of distinctive experiences that will help shape the event and enrich the visitor journey.
Expo 2030 Riyadh will take place from 1 October 2030 to 31 March 2031 under the theme “Foresight for Tomorrow.” The six-month event is expected to bring together more than 200 Official Participants and welcome 42 million visits. Through national pavilions, cultural programming, innovation and immersive experiences, Expo 2030 Riyadh will provide a global platform for international collaboration and exchange.
About Expo 2030 Riyadh
Running from 1 October 2030 to 31 March 2031, Expo 2030 Riyadh will be among the most ambitious World Expos ever conceived with a 6 million square meter site that will bring together more than 200 Official Participants and is expected to welcome 42 million visits across 5 distinct districts.
Held under the theme “Foresight for Tomorrow,” and hosted in Riyadh - a city of action and ambition - Expo 2030 Riyadh will provide a platform for participants to exchange ideas, shape solutions, and build partnerships that drive real impact, address global challenges, and unlock new opportunities. The World Expo will feature immersive cultural zones, daily activations, and AI-powered interactions, blending traditional Saudi hospitality with cutting-edge technology. Following the six-month event, the site will evolve into a global village, continuing to attract visitors and contribute to Riyadh’s dynamic urban landscape.
For more information, please visit: https://www.expo2030riyadh.sa/en/
His Excellency Sheikh Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, President of the Bahrain Authority for Culture and Antiquities, and Talal Al-Marri, Chief Executive Officer of Expo 2030 Riyadh, at the ceremony.
