Kawhi Leonard's son really wanted to come back to Toronto

Now that Kawhi Leonard is officially a member of the Toronto Raptors again, fans might have to thank his seven-year-old son for helping make it happen.

In the latest episode of the Raptors' documentary series Open Gym, the team spilled the details on how they landed Leonard in a recent trade with the Los Angeles Clippers.

The episode shows Leonard's first moments touching down in the city, him checking out his old stomping grounds, and sharing more about why he wanted to come back to Toronto.

Leonard said the move wasn't fueled by chasing another championship. Rather, he was looking for the best place where he could win while also finding a comfortable environment for his family.

After all, Leonard's son, Mark Jr., was born in Toronto in April 2019, and it sounds like he's been begging his dad to bring him back to the city where he was born.

"My son was born here, and he's been asking me forever when he's going to come back," Leonard said on Open Gym.

"Now he's back; he's able to see it rather than me telling him the great stories."

Kawhi Leonard's son might be doing more for the #Raptors than Drake:

"My son was born here. He's been asking me forever when he's going to come back.

"Now he's back; he's able to see it rather than me telling him the great stories."pic.twitter.com/hmPT3XeIqs

— Marley Dickinson (@marleydickinson) September 16, 2026

Raptors fans may forget, but Kawhi missed several games at the end of March during the 2018-19 season for personal reasons, which ended up being the birth of his son. He even thanked the doctors in Toronto who delivered his baby on his way out of town.

Kawhi's son wasn't the only member of the Leonard family who had apparently taken a liking to the city. His longtime partner, Kishele Shipley, and his daughter, Kaliyah, also have fond memories of Kawhi winning a championship here in 2019.

"The city took a liking to my family; I took a liking to the city," Leonard said.

"Hopefully they embrace me back."

Even though the trade between the Raptors and Clippers for Leonard wasn't officially announced until Sept. 14, the two-time NBA Finals MVP made several trips to Toronto during the summer.

Kawhi Leonard and longtime partner, Kishele Shipley, chat with Toronto luxury real estate mogul Sami McDadi at the National Bank Open in August. (Dan Hamilton/Imagn Images)

He attended Kyle Lowry's retirement announcement at the OVO Athletic Centre on July 7, then returned to the city in August, with his partner sitting courtside during a Coco Gauff match at the National Bank Open.

The first time Raptors fans will likely see Kawhi Leonard back in the uniform will be ahead of training camp during the team's media day on Sept. 28.

Who knows? There could be another iconic Kawhi laugh moment in store.