Kendrick Perkins believes Kawhi Leonard is the most feared and dangerous player in the Eastern Conference after the forward’s move from the LA Clippers to the Toronto Raptors reshaped the balance of power in the East.
“Kawhi Leonard is the most feared and most dangerous player in the Eastern Conference — and his peers know that,” Perkins said. “This is a conference that has Jaylen Brown, LeBron James, Giannis [Antetokounmpo], Tatum — Kawhi Leonard is known for breaking up happy homes.”
Leonard’s arrival in Toronto is one of the biggest developments of the 2026 offseason. The Raptors acquired the two-time NBA Finals MVP from the Clippers in a blockbuster trade agreed on June 30 and finalized on September 14, surrendering Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks, a first-round pick swap and two second-round picks.
Toronto subsequently secured Leonard’s future with a two-year, $115 million extension on September 20. The second year of the deal includes a player option, giving the franchise a significant commitment to the veteran star as it looks to take the next step in the Eastern Conference.
Leonard is coming off one of the most productive regular seasons of his career. The 34-year-old averaged 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 65 games for the Clippers in 2025-26, shooting 50.5% from the field and 38.7% from three-point range.
He also averaged 1.9 steals per game, highlighting the two-way impact that has defined his career. Leonard finished seventh in MVP voting and earned a place on the All-NBA Second Team, reinforcing his status as one of the league’s elite players when available.
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His career résumé provides further context for Perkins’ assessment. Leonard has won two NBA championships and two Finals MVP awards, first with the San Antonio Spurs in 2014 and later with the Toronto Raptors in 2019. His combination of physical defense, efficient scoring and postseason experience makes him a formidable opponent in high-stakes games.
The Raptors are betting that Leonard can bring that level of performance back to Toronto while complementing Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett. The franchise finished 46-36 last season before losing in the first round of the playoffs, and the Leonard trade signals a clear ambition to contend rather than remain in the middle of the standings.
Availability remains an important factor in evaluating Leonard, who has dealt with injuries throughout his career. He played 65 games last season, his highest total since appearing in 68 games in 2023-24, offering Toronto reason for optimism.
The Raptors paid a substantial price to bring Leonard back, but Perkins clearly believes the move has given the East another player opponents must fear. If Leonard stays healthy, Toronto’s new star trio could make the conference’s playoff picture considerably more difficult to predict.
