Toronto Raptors 2025/26 Season Preview: Kawhi Leonard’s Return and Title Ambitions

The Toronto Raptors secured 46 wins and 36 losses during the 2025-26 NBA regular season, marking a 16-win improvement over their previous campaign under head coach Darko Rajakovic, Basket USA reported. That turnaround carried Toronto to a fifth-place finish in the Eastern Conference and their first playoff appearance since 2022.

A Defensive Foundation and All-Star Backcourt

The core of Toronto’s surge stemmed from a defense that finished inside the top five of the league. Offensively, Scottie Barnes averaged 18.1 points and 7.5 rebounds per game to earn his second career NBA All-Star selection. Barnes shared the All-Star stage with Brandon Ingram, who contributed 21 points per contest during his single season in Canada. Ingram appeared in 77 regular-season games, marking his highest participation total since his rookie year. On the wings, RJ Barrett provided consistent scoring production, while rookie Collin Murray-Boyles added impact minutes on both ends of the floor coming off the bench.

While Barnes elevated his production in the series, Ingram struggled with efficiency before sustaining a heel injury that sidelined him for the final two games of the series, which Toronto lost. Despite the first-round exit, the Raptors’ front office evaluated the 2025-26 season as a positive stepping stone toward championship contention.

Kawhi Leonard Returns in a Blockbuster Trade

To accelerate their title ambitions, Toronto finalized a blockbuster trade sending Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two future first-round draft picks, and two second-round picks to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Kawhi Leonard and Kyle Anderson. The transaction brings Leonard back to the franchise where he captured an NBA championship and Finals MVP award in 2019.

Leonard enters the upcoming season following a stellar individual campaign in Los Angeles, where he averaged a career-high 27.9 points per game and appeared in 65 regular-season contests. Shortly after the trade was officially validated by the league, Leonard signed a contract extension keeping him under contract with Toronto through the 2027-28 season, accompanied by a player option for the 2028-29 campaign.

Summer roster turnover and salary cap positioning

The offseason overhaul changed the shape of Rajakovic’s roster significantly. Along with Leonard and Anderson, the Raptors added Allen Graves, Trey Jamison, and Jaden Bradley. The club also secured contract extensions for Ajilah Martin and Jamal Shead.

Departures from the rotation and developmental pool include Ingram, Dick, Sandro Mamukelashvili, Jonathan Mogbo, Garrett Temple, and AJ Lawson. With these adjustments, the Raptors enter the new campaign carrying a team payroll of approximately $202.5 million, positioning them 15th overall in league spending, while maintaining a young roster with an average age of 25.9 years.

Tactical Adjustments and Floor Spacing

Leonard’s presence is expected to resolve Toronto’s perimeter shooting deficiencies following Mamukelashvili’s departure to the Los Angeles Lakers. Leonard boasts a career 39% conversion rate from three-point range. His perimeter gravity will allow Barnes to operate more frequently inside the paint while unlocking catch-and-shoot opportunities for guards Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett.

Defensively, Leonard recorded 1.9 steals per game last season, adding another disruptive perimeter element alongside Barnes to preserve the team’s defensive identity.

Health Concerns and Depth Questions

While the addition of a two-time NBA Finals MVP elevates Toronto’s ceiling in the Eastern Conference, durability remains the primary variable for the franchise. Leonard’s extensive injury history in Los Angeles means the Raptors front office will likely manage his workload carefully to ensure health for the postseason.

If Leonard misses extended time, the responsibility will fall on the second unit, anchored by Murray-Boyles entering his second year, alongside Shead and Ja’Kobe Walter. Without consistent scoring contributions from the bench during any absence of their primary star, Toronto risks sliding back into offensive stagnation within a competitive Eastern Conference.