Kawhi Leonard’s time in Toronto may have been brief, but it was unforgettable - a single season that ended with the Raptors hoisting their first NBA championship. And now, there’s growing buzz that the former Finals MVP could find his way back north of the border.
According to recent reports, Leonard could be on the move this summer, with his name potentially surfacing in trade talks. The 34-year-old forward is on an expiring contract worth $50.3 million for the 2026-27 season, and if the Clippers decide to pivot, teams around the league are expected to line up to gauge his availability.
One of those teams? The Toronto Raptors.
It’s a scenario that might’ve sounded far-fetched not long ago, but there’s precedent - and a hint of symmetry - to the idea. Back in 2018, Leonard was traded from San Antonio to Toronto under similarly uncertain circumstances.
He had one year left on his deal, questions surrounded his long-term commitment, and yet, he delivered one of the most iconic playoff runs in recent memory. The Raptors rolled the dice then, and it paid off in championship gold.
Now, with the Clippers having made significant changes - including dealing away James Harden and Ivica Zubac at the deadline - there’s speculation that Leonard’s future in L.A. could be up in the air. If that door cracks open, Toronto might be tempted to walk through it again.
The Raptors have been quietly reshaping their roster around a promising young core. While there's no immediate urgency to shake things up, the franchise did reportedly explore big swings at the trade deadline - including interest in All-Star big man Domantas Sabonis. That kind of aggressive mindset could carry into the offseason, especially if the front office feels the team is one piece away from making real noise in the East.
And Leonard, even at this stage of his career, remains a game-changer.
He’s played in 40 games so far this season - already surpassing his total from last year - and he’s looked like his old self in stretches. He’s averaging 27.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 2.1 steals per game. That’s not just a bounce-back; that’s elite two-way production from a player who’s still capable of taking over games on both ends of the floor.
Health has always been the wild card with Leonard, but when he’s on the court, few players in the league can match his combination of efficiency, defensive impact, and playoff poise. That’s what made his 2019 run so special - and why a return to Toronto, while speculative for now, isn’t entirely out of the question.
From a basketball perspective, dropping a seasoned, championship-tested veteran into a rotation full of ascending talent could be the kind of move that accelerates the Raptors’ timeline. And from a city and fanbase standpoint, Leonard’s legacy in Toronto is already cemented. A return would be met with open arms and sky-high expectations.
Of course, a lot still has to play out. The rest of the season will shape both the Clippers’ and Raptors’ outlooks heading into the summer. But if Leonard does hit the trade market - and if Toronto is looking to make another bold move - don’t be surprised if the two sides find themselves back in the same conversation.
History has a funny way of repeating itself in the NBA. And sometimes, the sequel can be just as compelling as the original.