‘Kawhi Leonard, The Sequel’ has unfolded as anticipated for the Toronto Raptors, albeit not as hoped. Currently, the seven-time all-NBA selection has participated in only two games since his return to Toronto after spending seven years in Los Angeles.
The update regarding Leonard's participation is that he will be sidelined for a bit longer. However, there is some good news; he has not experienced a setback with his ongoing knee issue. On Tuesday, the Raptors released a statement announcing that Leonard “has successfully completed treatment to address left knee swelling.” He will begin his return-to-play process in Toronto, with updates on his progress expected in a week.
Leonard's anticipated timeline suggests a phase of reconditioning following his initial ramp-up before encountering knee problems. This could potentially enable him to return to action during the week of November 16, after missing ten games in total. Since his absence began on October 25, the Raptors have managed a record of 4-3, with the team set to face the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday.
The start to Leonard's second stint with the Raptors was characterized by a cautious approach. He did not engage in live scrimmages during training camp due to a deliberate ramp-up plan. This decision stemmed from his inability to participate in five-on-five games over the summer, thanks to uncertainty surrounding a trade that brought him to Toronto, linked to an NBA investigation into salary cap circumvention allegations concerning his time with the Los Angeles Clippers.
In the preseason, Leonard sat out two exhibition games before playing in two others and then missing the final game, totaling 39.5 minutes of playtime. In the Raptors' season opener against the Chicago Bulls, he logged 24 minutes and followed that with 28 minutes in a win over the Washington Wizards on October 23. Unfortunately, after practicing the next day, he noticed swelling in his knee and had to sit out the game.
During the two games he played, Leonard appeared less than at peak performance, struggling at times to finish plays efficiently. He averaged 19.5 points while shooting just 32.4 percent, along with collecting 7.5 rebounds and making 3.5 steals per game. Reports indicate that Leonard did not sustain a new injury but rather experienced irritation stemming from chronic wear and tear, with medical imaging revealing no structural damage.
Leonard’s history of knee issues includes multiple surgeries on his right knee, though he hasn't faced problems with his left knee since the 2018-19 season. In that season, the Raptors implemented a ‘load management’ strategy that allowed him to play 60 regular-season games while leading the NBA in postseason minutes, ultimately helping Toronto secure a championship and earn him the Finals MVP title.
After his championship season with the Raptors, Leonard signed with the Los Angeles Clippers. Recently, the NBA's investigation regarding salary cap circumvention found that he had received improper benefits from the Clippers. Over the past decade, injuries have become part of Leonard's narrative, affecting his availability. Since the 2017-18 season, he has missed 44 percent of his team's games.
Despite this history, the Raptors remain optimistic that, even at age 35, Leonard can deliver elite performance levels. He had an impressive season last year with the Clippers, averaging 27.9 points per game and 1.9 steals while maintaining a True Shooting percentage of 62.9 over 65 games—one of the best seasons by a player over 34 in NBA history.
The Raptors made significant investments to acquire Leonard, trading away Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks (2031 and 2033), a first-round pick swap in 2027, and two future second-round picks. Subsequently, they signed Leonard to a two-year, $115 million contract extension, guaranteed through the 2028-29 season. Currently, he is earning $50.3 million in the final year of his existing contract, with a player option for the last year of his extension that extends through his 37th year.
The potential for Leonard to conclude his Hall-of-Fame career with the Raptors influenced his decision to return to Toronto. As of now, he has been away from the team since the onset of his knee issues. The Raptors have informed that he is receiving rest and treatment “outside of Toronto.” Nevertheless, Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic emphasized that Leonard’s influence is still felt throughout the organization, stating, “It’s great to get every win for him. He loves his team; he loves his teammates." The absence of Leonard has been noticeable, with the Raptors recording a 2-3 record without him. Rajakovic remarked on the impact of Leonard's absence, acknowledging the defensive and offensive void his presence creates on the court.
As it stands, the Raptors are eager for Leonard's return to enhance their performance, with the ongoing challenges of his injury history lingering over his journey back to the court.
