Basketball: the main stories of 14.09.2026

Kawhi Leonard is set to leave Los Angeles: the Clippers and the Raptors have agreed to complete his move to Toronto, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The deal comes hours after owner Steve Ballmer dropped his legal challenge to the NBA's punishment for circumventing the salary cap in the Leonard affair. Ballmer apologised to supporters and called it "a very difficult period" for everyone connected with the club. With no court case left and the forward gone, the Clippers have closed the investigation chapter on and off the court. Not everyone thinks the sanctions went far enough: Danilo Gallinari told one outlet that Leonard's punishment was too light, saying the player "changed the course of my career".

According to a single report, Taj Gibson has retired at 41 after 17 NBA seasons and will join Tiago Splitter's staff in Chicago, the club that drafted him. The Pelicans were reported only yesterday to be waiving him. Also in one outlet's account, Devin Carter has signed with Boston and will compete in camp for a standard or two-way deal, a day after Miami were said to be weighing a move for the 24-year-old guard. In Berlin, Breanna Stewart became the first two-time World Cup MVP after the USA beat France 97-79 for a fifth straight title.

• Kings general manager Scott Perry said Ben Simmons is healthy for the first time in a couple of years; Patrick Beverley had criticised his return the day before.
• Budućnost president Dragan Bokan said the club is open to signing Nikola Mirotić, who has been without a club since leaving Monaco.
• Panathinaikos and AEK reported an illness outbreak after a pre-season tournament in Rhodes.
• Kevin Garnett recalled firing his agent over a rejected $122m Minnesota offer.
• Chris Finch said LaMelo Ball must learn to play with Rudy Gobert and wants another step from Jaden McDaniels.
• Aaron Gordon, limited to 36 games last season, says he is ready and spoke about Peyton Watson's exit.
• Hugo González said possible trade talk in Boston is "part of the business".
• Gabe Vincent claimed most NBA players hate basketball.
• Caitlin Clark shut down a question about Angel Reese after the World Cup final.
• Edo Murić expects Luka Dončić to have a career-best season.
• Virtus president Massimo Zanetti called his side Italy's most iconic club.
• Zenit newcomer Ike Iroegbu admitted Russian is proving difficult.