The Raptors’ long All-NBA dry spell could finally be on the verge of ending, and Kawhi Leonard is the biggest reason why.
Toronto hasn’t had a player land on one of the three All-NBA teams since the 2021-22 season, when Pascal Siakam made the All-NBA Third Team. That was Siakam’s second straight All-NBA nod and the ninth in franchise history. Scottie Barnes had a chance to snap the drought this year, but he came up short, to the disappointment of Raptors fans.
Now the outlook looks much better.
Leonard remains the kind of player who can swing this conversation all by himself when he’s healthy and on the floor regularly. This year, he earned All-NBA Second Team honors after putting up 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.9 steals in 65 games for the Clippers. If he gives Toronto something close to that level, another All-NBA selection is very much in play.
Barnes gives the Raptors another strong candidate. Even if Leonard’s health keeps him from qualifying, Barnes should still be in the mix.
He looks poised to build on last season, especially after showing a new offensive gear in the playoffs. Leonard’s presence should also change the way defenses attack Toronto.
Opponents will focus their best defenders on Leonard when he’s out there, and when he isn’t, Barnes will be asked to carry a big share of the offense because of injuries or load management. Put that together, and Barnes could be headed for his best scoring season and his first All-NBA honor.
There’s also a path where Toronto gets two All-NBA players.
It’s possible Leonard and Barnes both perform at that level for at least 65 games without cutting into each other’s production. Over the last three seasons, seven teams have had two players make All-NBA teams.
In 2023-24, the Phoenix Suns did it with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, and the Los Angeles Lakers did it with LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Those teams finished sixth and seventh in the Western Conference.
Since then, the only teams with more than one All-NBA player have been top-three clubs in their conferences: the New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Oklahoma City Thunder in 2024-25, and the Thunder and Detroit Pistons in 2025-26.
If Toronto gets the team success to match the talent, two All-NBA selections are on the table.
The Raptors have never had two players make All-NBA in the same season. They also have never had a player make the All-NBA First Team.
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