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TORONTO, ON – MAY 12: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors looks on after sinking a buzzer beater to win Game Seven of the second round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs against the Philadelphia 76ers at Scotiabank Arena on May 12, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
A former key cog of the Toronto Raptors 2019 NBA championship team made his honest feelings known about Kawhi Leonard’s return to the franchise.
Talking to the media during Kyle Lowry’s block party, Fred VanVleet gave his real thoughts about Kawhi’s homecoming in Toronto, saying that the Raptors will definitely improve their roster in the coming season.
Ex-Raptors Star Thinks Toronto Is Dangerous With Kawhi Leonard
GettyINGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 04: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers on court against the Indiana Pacers in the first half at Intuit Dome on March 04, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
“I mean, listen, they didn’t get worse,” VanVleet, who is now playing for the Houston Rockets, said. “It didn’t get worse.
“I’m excited for the city. I’m excited for the organization. It’s good to see [Kawhi Leonard] back and yeah, they’ll be a damn good team, especially in the East. They’re going to be a tough out.”
“They didn’t get worse” 🤣. Fred VanVleet on his 2019 championship teammate with the Raptors Kawhi Leonard, going back to the organization.
#raptors #kawhileonard @HardRockBet
Leonard and VanVleet have a shared history of winning the 2019 NBA Championship with the Raptors.
Instead of harboring resentment over Leonard’s departure to the Los Angeles Clippers following their title run, VanVleet has expressed gratitude toward him in numerous interviews since the championship, noting that Leonard’s historic, business-like playoff run changed everyone’s lives, helped secure the franchise’s first title, and solidified VanVleet’s own career trajectory to earn major contracts in the league.
To bring the two-time Finals MVP back to Canada, Toronto sent Brandon Ingram, guard Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round draft picks (2031 and 2033), a 2027 pick swap, and two future second-round picks to Los Angeles.
Now 35 years old, Leonard joins a re-tooled, younger Raptors roster alongside rising cornerstone Scottie Barnes.
Fred VanVleet Recalls Raptors Locker Room With Kawhi Leonard
GettyTORONTO, ONTARIO – JUNE 02: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors and Fred VanVleet #23 celebrate the play against the Golden State Warriors in the first half during Game Two of the 2019 NBA Finals at Scotiabank Arena on June 02, 2019 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Fred VanVleet knew Kawhi Leonard did not want to be in Toronto, but he had no choice but to be as professional as he could be.
So professional, in fact, that he led the team to their first-ever NBA championship.
“He said it from day one, I’m not staying here. So, from day one, he said, ‘I don’t know why they traded for me. I don’t want to be here. I’m not staying here.’ Now, Toronto put their best bid in, man,” VanVleet said in the Hello and Welcome podcast.
“The city bowed down as we’ve never seen before, man. And so yes, as for us regular people, we can look at it and say, man, how could you leave that? But his mind was made up, man. Kawhi is Kawhi.”
VanVleet also lauded Leonard’s self-belief. He even recalled one instance that Leonard called him “better than Kobe.”
“Kawhi [Leonard] changed my view on a lot of shi*t, but there was one thing in particular that I overheard and he didn’t say it to me, I just overheard it and it was a conversation that was being had. And the sentiment of the conversation, because I ain’t going to quote nobody, but the sentiment of the conversation was when we won the championship about all that sh*t is like, ‘I’m better than Kobe.’”
“Right? I had the same reaction because Kobe is my man. Kobe, that’s it for me. That’s as good as it gets for me as a little kid up into a man, my eyes, what I seen.”
Leonard has the accolades to claim that he is on par with Kobe after winning two NBA championships in different franchises and winning the Finals MVPs of those series.
Since Kawhi left in 2019, the Raptors have rebuilt the team with young players. Leonard now returns to recapture the magic he once had seven years ago.
Rob Andrew Lo Rob Andrew Lo is a writer at Heavy Sports and is covering the NBA. He has covered local, collegiate, professional and international sports in various sites. He was the sports editor of The Varsitarian, the official student publication of University of Santo Tomas, and a sports, entertainment, and lifestyle writer for Rappler.
A Journalism graduate from the University of Santo Tomas, he has built his voice across both collegiate and international platforms, previously contributing NBA coverage to Fansided and Sportskeeda.
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