Raptors’ Kawhi Leonard welcome message will send chills

The Raptors finished the 2025-26 season with a 46-36 record, making it to the playoffs as the fifth seed. They put up a fight against the Cleveland Cavaliers and pushed the series to seven games, but they would eventually bow out of contention. With Leonard’s arrival, the Raptors are envisioning a repeat of their initial trade for him back in 2018 — when the two-time Defensive Player of the Year powered Toronto’s leap into title contention and led them to the franchise’s first championship.

Leonard, even at 35 years of age, remains a game-changer when healthy. That’s still a big caveat, even though he was healthy enough last season to suit up in 65 games for the Clippers.

Last season, Leonard put up 27.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, and he fits in quite well in a Raptors team that has plenty of long-limbed and rangy defenders who can complement him well. Scottie Barnes, in particular, looks like a good fit alongside Leonard, with the two looking to wreak havoc on both ends of the floor.

Raptors fans might be thinking that Leonard would have been better off staying in Toronto back in 2019, when he forced his way to the Clippers in free agency. Perhaps they’re right. Nevertheless, it’s better late than never for Leonard, as he finds a new lease on life with a new opportunity to contend in the Eastern Conference, all while his former team in LA falls apart.