The NBA world was sent into a frenzy when it was announced that former seven-time All-Star Kawhi Leonard was being shipped to Toronto for the second time in his career. The last time we saw Leonard in a Raptors jersey was in 2019 when he lifted the Larry O’Brien Trophy with his teammates after defeating the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals.
Seven years have passed, and Leonard is crossing the border after a polarizing stint with the Los Angeles Clippers, marred by injuries and inconsistencies on and off the court. However, last year Leonard had one of his healthiest seasons in recent years, dominating the Western Conference on a subpar Clippers team that couldn’t piece it together.
Fast forward to the present day, and the Raptors may have just struck the jackpot by landing a motivated and seemingly healthy former two-time Finals M.V.P.
During the 2025-26 season, Leonard averaged 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.9 steals per game in 65 games. While the statistics are impressive, Head Coach Darko Rajaković praised his professionalism and willingness to adapt to his new role when discussing his arrival in Toronto.
“He’s been outstanding; he’s somebody who understands where he is in his career and how he needs to help this team. He’s doing a great job at setting the standard on how to practice, how to prepare — how to do all of those small things. We have a really good culture, and he’s really helping us to take it to the next level,.” said Rajaković.
Leonard’s impact goes well beyond the court, as he plays an integral role not only as the team’s leader but also as a figure in Canadian sports. The former Defensive Player of the Year helped bring the organization’s first and only title home as the face of the franchise, cementing himself as a legend not only for Toronto, but for Canada.
During a period of minimal success in Toronto sports, Leonard brought excitement to a sport that hadn’t seen that type of fan engagement since the early 2000s, when Vince Carter was putting his arm through the hoop. Now in 2026, Leonard hopes to repeat the same success he had almost a decade ago with a whole new roster.
In two pre-season games with the Raptors, Leonard recorded 27 points, six rebounds, and one assist in 38 minutes. While not the most outstanding stat line by any means, these two games served more as a warm-up and a chance to integrate the San Diego State product into a different playing scheme.
The team will rely on Leonard to be a consistent three-point shooting threat, with players like RJ Barrett, Scottie Barnes, and Jakob Poeltl on the court who are below average from beyond the arc.
Leonard made his official return for the Raptors on Oct. 21, in the season opener against the Chicago Bulls in front of a very loud Scotiabank Arena crowd. The former Clipper dropped 23 points and four steals in just 23 minutes during one of the biggest season-opening blowouts in franchise history, as Toronto won 135-92. While 5-for-17 shooting from the field isn’t the prettiest split, Leonard still looked comfortable in his return, leading his team alongside Scottie Barnes, who had a nearly identical stat line. Leonard shined most at the free-throw line, shooting a perfect 11 for 11 from the charity stripe, an area of his game that’s always been solid, especially in his later years.
The Bulls might not be the best team out there, but a win is a win, and the Raptors did so in dominating fashion, led by their former Finals M.V.P.
A recent development has surfaced that Leonard will miss an extended period due to knee inflammation. This news exploded on social media, with prominent analysts ripping on Leonard for his inability to stay healthy. Leonard’s injury comes just three games into the season, adding a crutch to a team that relies on him heavily.
Raptors fans must now hold their breath and hope that their superstar can remain healthy after he returns from his current knee issues.