The Toronto Raptors are hoping that lightning, indeed, strikes twice in the same place.
In a stunning move, the franchise is going for it in a major way by going back to their ex.
Or, rather, their ex is going back to them.
Kawhi Leonard has been traded to the Toronto Raptors, reuniting the Klaw and the North after 7 seasons in Los Angeles playing for the Clippers.
With this move, the Raptors vault themselves into championship contention and are taking a swing, a gamble, a risk, in hopes that the same guy who led them to a championship the first time can do it again.Â
It is one of the most astonishing stories in all of basketball, the connection between this all-time player and this beloved franchise.
But we know how it all worked out in 2019.Â
How will it work out in 2026 and beyond?
Can Kawhi Leonard, Scottie Barnes, and crew truly reach the mountain top again?Â
In this video, Es Baraheni dissects Leonard’s fit with the Raptors from a statistical and video lens, diving into the play-types he thrives in, his similarities and differences to Brandon Ingram, the defensive fit, and why the value proposition makes sense for this team.
The Raptors traded Ingram, Gradey Dick, two second round picks, two unprotected first round picks in 2031 and 2033, along with a 2027 first round pick swap for the 35-year old Leonard. It’s also reported that the Raptors are working on a two-year maximum contract extension that will keep Kawhi in Toronto for at least the next three seasons.
With Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, and Jakob Poeltl, alongside young prospects like Jamal Shead, Ja’Kobe Walter, Collin Murray-Boyles and the newly drafted Allen Graves, the Raptors have all the pieces to contend for a title.
