Last Updated on May 4, 2025 by Mathew Diekhake
Kawhi Leonard has been involved in two significant trades during his NBA career, each marking a pivotal moment for the teams involved and for Leonard himself.
1. 2011 NBA Draft Night: Indiana Pacers to San Antonio Spurs
On June 23, 2011, during the NBA Draft, the Indiana Pacers selected Kawhi Leonard with the 15th overall pick. Shortly thereafter, they traded him to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for George Hill. This move proved to be a masterstroke for the Spurs, as Leonard developed into a two-time NBA Finals MVP and one of the league’s premier two-way players.
2. San Antonio Spurs to Toronto Raptors (July 2018)
In July 2018, following a season marred by injury and reported tensions with the Spurs’ management, Leonard was traded to the Toronto Raptors. The full trade details were:
- Toronto Raptors received:
- Kawhi Leonard
- Danny Green
- San Antonio Spurs received:
- DeMar DeRozan
- Jakob Poeltl
- A protected 2019 first-round draft pick
This trade was significant, as it sent DeRozan, a long-time Raptors star, to San Antonio, while bringing Leonard to Toronto for what was initially expected to be a one-year stint. However, Leonard’s impact was immediate and profound. He led the Raptors to their first-ever NBA championship in 2019 and earned his second Finals MVP award, solidifying his legacy in NBA history.