Kawhi Leonard has rejoined the Toronto Raptors after spending seven seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers. When Leonard initially left Toronto in 2019, he had just secured the city’s inaugural NBA championship, aiming to replicate that success in Los Angeles. However, the Clippers failed to reach the playoffs in the 2025-26 season and were eliminated in the first round for the three previous years.
Leonard’s departure from Toronto initially left fans wondering about the potential of the team had he remained. At that time, the Raptors centered their strategy around Leonard and Kyle Lowry, with veterans such as Serge Ibaka, Marc Gasol, and Danny Green, alongside emerging talents like Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, OG Anunoby, and Norman Powell. If Leonard had stayed, it’s highly likely the team would have remained competitive, possibly keeping many of those players in the roster.
With Leonard’s return, the Raptors have been reshaped, now featuring RJ Barrett, a Toronto native and former No. 3 overall pick from the New York Knicks. Recently, Draymond Green discussed Leonard’s return on his podcast, speculating about Barrett’s future with the team. Green remarked, “I bet you the Raptors feel like they have a chance mixing Kawhi with Scottie Barnes. I wouldn’t be surprised if you see RJ Barrett on the move at some point, just with how it’s starting to shape up with guys who need the basketball in their hands.”
Green further pondered Leonard’s decision-making, considering if Leonard regrets not accepting the offers to stay in Canada initially.
“I have to ask myself the question of all the things that was being offered to Kawhi to not leave Canada, does he look back on that like ‘damn I shoulda took those things and stayed put?'” Green added.
RJ Barrett, who joined the Raptors after four and a half seasons with the Knicks, has arguably played some of his best basketball since returning home. During the Raptors’ playoff series against the Cavaliers, Barrett led the team in scoring, averaging 24.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists in 38.7 minutes per game.
At 26 years old, Barrett is entering the final year of his contract and will earn $29.6 million next season before becoming an unrestricted free agent. His impressive performance, steady scoring at 20 points per game, and efficient field goal percentage of 49.1% make Barrett a valuable asset for potential trade deals.
Yet, Barrett’s role as a core team member complicates such decisions. His physical and versatile playstyle, combined with his connection as a local player, adds emotional weight that the Raptors may be reluctant to dismiss. Unless Toronto sees a strategic advantage in trading Barrett for a lineup that could elevate them further, he is likely to remain a vital part of the team.