Leonard looks ahead with a different Raptors core
Kawhi Leonard put another championship at the center of his ambitions as he returned to Toronto for the Raptors’ September 28 Media Day.
The forward’s new stint follows the September trade with the Los Angeles Clippers. His return brings back a player central to Toronto’s 2019 title, but the teammates around him are different from those of that championship season.
In his media session, Leonard acknowledged the contributions of Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett and several of Toronto’s younger players, according to Roundtable Sports’ account carried by Yahoo Sports. Those comments placed the returning star alongside an existing group, rather than presenting the coming season as a repeat of 2019.
The distinction matters as the Raptors begin preparation. A past championship gives the reunion its history; it does not establish how the current lineup will perform. Training camp and preseason will provide the first opportunities to develop those combinations.
Leonard’s title ambition is a statement of intent. Toronto still has to turn that ambition into a functioning team over the months ahead.