Kawhi Leonard explains why he wanted to become a Toronto Raptor again
Nearly three months after the Toronto Raptors traded for Kawhi Leonard, the two-time NBA Finals MVP was finally introduced Monday as part of the team's Media Day.
Leonard walked into the room with a smile before immediately making one thing clear: He wouldn't be answering questions about the NBA investigation that followed him and his former team, the Los Angeles Clippers, over the past few months.
Perhaps the bigger question was why the 35-year-old wanted to return to the city and team he chose to leave following a championship seven years ago.
Leonard cleared the air for a room full of reporters.
"A big part of it was the fans and the legacy. We want to do the impossible here. I enjoyed the energy of the city, and I made the decision over time. The energy and the people are just why I wanted to come back," Leonard said.
"My son was born out here; he's always asking to come back. Asking, 'What flag is that?' He even seems happier here."
When Leonard was traded to Toronto ahead of the 2018-19 season in exchange for DeMar DeRozan and Jakob Poeltl, the city wasn't on his list of preferred destinations.
It took some time, but Leonard bought in — and so did the rest of the Raptors, winning the franchise's first NBA title less than a year later.
Leonard said he doesn't spend much time thinking about the what-ifs surrounding whether he could have stayed in Toronto for the 2019-20 season. Instead, he said his move to the Clippers allowed him to spend more time with family and people who have since passed away.
"I can't take those times back, and I don't think about the basketball aspect of it too much," Leonard said.
Now, the potential of this young Raptors team is what excites Leonard.
"The team played amazing last year; it was great basketball. They are a competitive young group, and I think I can benefit from that," he said.
Leonard spent much of Monday morning getting reacquainted with some of his new Raptors teammates, including Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett.
Barnes even had a lighthearted message for reporters, insisting that his famously quiet new teammate actually talks quite a bit.
"Everyone says he doesn't talk much, but I think he talks a pretty good amount," Barnes said.
"He's a really great guy. Talks a lot, makes some jokes."
"He's a pretty great guy." 😅
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) September 28, 2026
Scottie Barnes on getting to know Kawhi Leonard. pic.twitter.com/aZ8vkCsjGx
Barrett, who was a Raptors fan before he was drafted by the team, said he spent some of his time with Leonard telling him where he was during the superstar's iconic 2019 buzzer-beater.
Leonard will get even more acquainted with his teammates this week as the Raptors head to Quebec City for training camp and their opening preseason game against the Miami Heat on Oct. 3.
John E. Sokolowski/Imagn Images
