Fred VanVleet Opens Up on Kawhi Leonard’s Toronto Tenure: “He Said It From Day One”
Kawhi Leonard’s name has been swirling in headlines lately-and not just for what he’s doing on the court. The Clippers star is now at the center of an NBA investigation tied to a controversial endorsement deal with a tree-planting company. If the league finds any wrongdoing, the consequences could be severe, including the potential voiding of Leonard’s current contract with the Clippers.
But amid the off-court drama, a former teammate is shedding light on one of the more intriguing chapters of Leonard’s career: his brief, but unforgettable, stint with the Toronto Raptors.
On a recent episode of the Hello and Welcome podcast, Fred VanVleet-now with the Houston Rockets-spoke candidly about Leonard’s mindset during that 2018-19 season in Toronto. According to VanVleet, Leonard was never planning to stick around long-term.
“He said it from day one, ‘I’m not staying here,’” VanVleet recalled. “From day one, ‘I don’t know why they traded for me.
I don’t want to be here. I’m not staying here.’”
That may come as a shock to some Raptors fans, especially considering how pivotal Leonard was in delivering the franchise’s first and only NBA championship. But for those inside the locker room, it sounds like Leonard’s intentions were never a mystery.
VanVleet made it clear that while Leonard’s commitment to Toronto may have been short-lived, it was never half-hearted.
“Kawhi is Kawhi. I thank him eternally for helping us win a championship and carrying us to a moment where I could be solidified and go on to make a ton of money,” VanVleet said.
“We’re forever indebted to him for that. I’m just thankful we got the job done.
He changed a lot of people’s lives.”
And he’s not wrong. Leonard’s lone season in Toronto was one for the books.
He averaged 26.6 points per game on 49.6% shooting, along with 7.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists. Those numbers marked one of the best statistical seasons of his career, and more importantly, he delivered when it mattered most-leading the Raptors through a grueling playoff run and etching his name into Canadian basketball history forever.
Still, Leonard’s time in Toronto was a detour, not a destination. After winning the title, he returned home to California and joined the Clippers-a move that, in hindsight, was always part of the plan.
That same loyalty he once showed to San Antonio-where he spent the first five seasons of his career-has seemingly carried over to his time in L.A. Despite the ongoing endorsement investigation, Leonard has remained committed to the Clippers, even as the franchise navigates its own internal shakeups.
One of the more recent surprises came when the Clippers parted ways with veteran guard Chris Paul. Leonard addressed the move in an interview, admitting he was caught off guard.
“Surprised at it. He’s always been a willing teammate when I’ve spoke to him,” Leonard said.
“Only thing I could talk about is our conversations. And they’ve always been positive and team-forward.
I didn’t have nothing to do with it. I didn’t even know what was going on.”
Reports have suggested that both Leonard and James Harden grew frustrated with Paul’s vocal leadership style, which may have contributed to the decision. The move raised eyebrows across the league-especially after Paul announced his retirement following the season.
So while Leonard’s off-court situation continues to unfold, and the Clippers adjust to life without a future Hall of Famer in Paul, one thing remains clear: Kawhi Leonard has always walked his own path. Whether it was his quiet dominance in Toronto, his calculated move to L.A., or his current stand amid controversy, Leonard has never been one to follow the script.
And according to VanVleet, he never pretended otherwise.