RJ Barrett spent much of the summer waiting for Kawhi Leonard’s return to Toronto to become official. Now that it has happened, the Raptors forward is excited about finally sharing the court with a player he grew up watching as a fan.
“When it first happened, I was like, ‘Let me just not try to think about it, and just wait for it to happen,’” Barrett said on CBS Sports. “It was easy until we got to September, because in September we got training camp at the end of the month. So now you’re like, ‘Okay, when is this thing going to start happening?’”
The deal that brought Leonard back to Toronto was agreed in late June but was not completed until September 14 following the NBA’s investigation into the Los Angeles Clippers. Once the trade became official, Barrett said the excitement became real.
“Now that he’s officially a Raptor, it’s been amazing. It’s cool. I’ve got to cross paths with him a couple of times this summer. We’re excited for him to come here,” Barrett said.
The move carries additional significance for Barrett because of his connection to the Raptors’ 2019 championship team. He grew up supporting Toronto and was preparing for the NBA Draft when Leonard led the franchise to its first championship.
“It’s surreal for me. I’ve been a Raptors fan my whole life,” Barrett said. “I was getting ready for the Draft when the Raptors won the championship. When he made the game winner against Philly, I was jumping up-and-down.”
Leonard’s buzzer-beating three-pointer against the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 7 of the 2019 Eastern Conference semifinals sent Toronto to the conference finals. The Raptors eventually defeated the Milwaukee Bucks and Golden State Warriors, with Leonard winning Finals MVP.
Six years later, Barrett will play alongside Leonard as Toronto attempts to build another contender around Scottie Barnes.
Leonard remains a productive scorer at 35years old. He averaged 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 65 games for the Clippers last season, shooting 50.5% from the field, 38.7% from three-point range and 89.2% from the free-throw line. He was selected to the All-Star team and earned All-NBA Second Team honors.
Barrett averaged 19.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 57 games for Toronto last season, shooting 49.1% from the field. He will now join Barnes and Leonard as part of the Raptors’ revamped core after Toronto traded Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and multiple future draft assets for Leonard.
For Barrett, however, the move is about more than roster construction.
“So, from being a fan, to now being able to play with him, it’s going to be so special,” Barrett said.
