{"id":898581,"date":"2026-09-20T05:54:12","date_gmt":"2026-09-20T05:54:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/898581\/"},"modified":"2026-09-20T05:54:12","modified_gmt":"2026-09-20T05:54:12","slug":"ex-raptors-champion-reveals-feelings-about-kawhi-leonard","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/898581\/","title":{"rendered":"Ex-Raptors Champion Reveals Feelings About Kawhi Leonard"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\t\t\"Philadelphia\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGetty\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

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)<\/p>\n

A former key cog of the Toronto Raptors<\/a> 2019 NBA championship team made his honest feelings known about Kawhi Leonard\u2019s return to the franchise.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Talking to the media during Kyle Lowry\u2019s block party, Fred VanVleet<\/a> gave his real thoughts about Kawhi\u2019s homecoming in Toronto, saying that the Raptors will definitely improve their roster in the coming season.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ex-Raptors Star Thinks Toronto Is Dangerous With Kawhi Leonard<\/p>\n

\n\"IndianaGettyINGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA \u2013 MARCH 04: Kawhi Leonard<\/a> #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers<\/a> on court against the Indiana Pacers<\/a> in the first half at Intuit Dome on March 04, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Ronald Martinez\/Getty Images)\n<\/p>\n

\u201cI mean, listen, they didn\u2019t get worse,\u201d VanVleet, who is now playing for the Houston Rockets<\/a>, said. \u201cIt didn\u2019t get worse.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m excited for the city. I\u2019m excited for the organization. It\u2019s good to see [Kawhi Leonard] back and yeah, they\u2019ll be a damn good team, especially in the East. They\u2019re going to be a tough out.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey didn\u2019t get worse\u201d \ud83e\udd23. Fred VanVleet on his 2019 championship teammate with the Raptors Kawhi Leonard, going back to the organization.
\n#raptors<\/a> #kawhileonard<\/a> @HardRockBet<\/a> <\/p>\n

Leonard and VanVleet have a shared history of winning the 2019 NBA<\/a> Championship with the Raptors.<\/p>\n

Instead of harboring resentment over Leonard\u2019s 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\u2019s historic, business-like playoff run changed everyone\u2019s lives, helped secure the franchise\u2019s first title, and solidified VanVleet\u2019s own career trajectory to earn major contracts in the league.<\/p>\n

To bring the two-time Finals MVP back to Canada, Toronto sent Brandon Ingram<\/a>, guard Gradey Dick<\/a>, two unprotected first-round draft picks (2031 and 2033), a 2027 pick swap, and two future second-round picks to Los Angeles.<\/p>\n

Now 35 years old, Leonard joins a re-tooled, younger Raptors roster alongside rising cornerstone Scottie Barnes<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Fred VanVleet Recalls Raptors Locker Room With Kawhi Leonard<\/p>\n

\n\"2019GettyTORONTO, ONTARIO \u2013 JUNE 02: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors and Fred VanVleet #23 celebrate the play against the Golden State Warriors<\/a> 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)\n<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

So professional, in fact, that he led the team to their first-ever NBA championship.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe said it from day one, I\u2019m not staying here. So, from day one, he said, \u2018I don\u2019t know why they traded for me. I don\u2019t want to be here. I\u2019m not staying here.\u2019 Now, Toronto put their best bid in, man,\u201d VanVleet said in the Hello and Welcome podcast.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe city bowed down as we\u2019ve 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

VanVleet also lauded Leonard\u2019s self-belief. He even recalled one instance that Leonard called him \u201cbetter than Kobe.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKawhi [Leonard] changed my view on a lot of shi*t, but there was one thing in particular that I overheard and he didn\u2019t 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\u2019t going to quote nobody, but the sentiment of the conversation was when we won the championship about all that sh*t is like, \u2018I\u2019m better than Kobe.\u2019\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cRight? I had the same reaction because Kobe is my man. Kobe, that\u2019s it for me. That\u2019s as good as it gets for me as a little kid up into a man, my eyes, what I seen.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Since Kawhi left in 2019, the Raptors have rebuilt the team with young players. Leonard now returns to recapture the magic<\/a> he once had seven years ago.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tRob Andrew Lo<\/a> 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.
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\nA 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.
\n More about Rob Andrew Lo<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n

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