Kawhi Leonard addressed the media for the first time since returning to the Toronto Raptors, saying he wants to leave the controversy surrounding his return behind and concentrate on basketball.
Speaking at Raptors media day on Monday, Leonard acknowledged that reporters wanted to ask about the NBA investigation but said he had discussed the situation with the NBA and the players’ association.
“I think the best decision is to move forward and focus on my time being a Toronto Raptor,” Leonard said. “I just want to focus on basketball again and, you know, being a Toronto Raptor.”
The Leonard trade from the LA Clippers to Toronto was agreed in June but was frozen during the league’s investigation before being finalized on September 14. The Raptors subsequently signed Leonard to a two-year extension.
Leonard said the situation had already taken attention away from his basketball preparation, noting that he had been unable to meet his new teammates or participate in their offseason minicamp activities.
“It already was a distraction for the past 70 days and I wasn’t able to meet my teammates, do any of that mini camp stuff with them,” Leonard said. “But yeah, like I said, I just want to focus on basketball again.”
The 35-year-old forward is returning to the franchise where he spent the 2018-19 season and helped Toronto win its first NBA championship. He said the current Raptors’ style of play was one reason he was excited about the opportunity.
Toronto went 46-36 last season and reached the playoffs after missing the postseason in each of the previous three seasons. Leonard highlighted Scottie Barnes, Brandon Ingram, RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley and the team’s young players while discussing what he saw from the group.
“They played great basketball,” Leonard said. “Just competitive, young group, defend first, runs out in transition, and I think I could benefit from that.”
Leonard also said he likes head coach Darko Rajakovic and believes his defensive approach should fit Toronto’s identity.
“I’m a defensive first guy,” Leonard said. “I like to play defense, so I don’t like my man to just run off 40, 50 points.”
The two-time NBA champion also discussed his decision to return to Toronto and the possibility of strengthening his legacy with the franchise. Leonard pointed to the city, its fans and the relationships he developed during his previous stint.
“The energy of a city, I really enjoyed it,” Leonard said. “The fans always gave me a liking coming back to play in the arena. The relationships that I have here.”
Leonard said he also wants to take on a leadership role with the young Raptors roster, emphasizing leading by example and helping teammates develop.
“I definitely have to be a leader,” Leonard said. “Lead by example and also just be that extra eye, ear on the floor for Darko when I’m in a battle.”
Leonard enters his 15th NBA season after averaging 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 65 games for the Clippers in 2025-26. He said he currently feels healthy and hopes to build on his recent availability.
“I feel good,” Leonard said. “Hopefully this year I could play more and, you know, even build on that, adding games in the playoffs and making that run long as well.”
