Kawhi Leonard is back in Toronto after a high-profile return agreement with the Raptors, declaring that he feels at home with a young and competitive roster despite lingering scrutiny over his departure from the Los Angeles Clippers.
Leonard Returns to Toronto on a Two-Year Deal
Kawhi Leonard spoke to reporters in Toronto on Monday for the first time since the Raptors repatriated the star forward in a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers paired with a two-year contract extension, as reported by RDS. Leonard opened his media availability by reading a prepared statement indicating he would not discuss a recent salary cap investigation involving the Clippers that delayed his arrival in Toronto by more than two months. Instead, Leonard emphasized looking forward with his new teammates after missing the team’s mini-camp and training preparations.
Reflecting on His Decade in Los Angeles
Looking back at his decision to leave Toronto in free agency following the franchise’s 2018-19 championship run, Leonard stated he has no regrets about returning home to Southern California. Signing a four-year, $176.3 million contract with the Clippers in August 2021 allowed him to be close to his family during significant personal milestones and losses. Leonard described himself as a family man who valued spending time with aging relatives and newborn children, noting that those personal moments meant he spent less time dwelling strictly on basketball during his tenure with the Clippers.
Evaluating the Clippers and the Search for a Winning Environment
Despite his off-court priorities, Leonard expressed frustration with the competitive environment in Los Angeles. While the Clippers reached the Western Conference finals in 2021, they suffered three first-round playoff exits across his seven seasons with the franchise. Last year, the Clippers finished with a 42-40 record and missed the postseason entirely. That campaign unfolded despite Leonard posting strong individual numbers, averaging 27.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.9 steals, and 0.4 blocks across 65 regular-season games, which earned him a selection to the All-NBA Second Team.
Stepping Into an Ascending Raptors Squad
Leonard now joins a Toronto roster that returned to the postseason last year after a three-year absence, pushing the heavily favored Cleveland Cavaliers to a seventh game in their first-round Eastern Conference series. Describing his motivation for the new chapter, Leonard stated that he requires pressure and a proven winning situation.
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