Mark Cuban didn’t sugarcoat anything when he was asked about Kawhi Leonard and the idea of a Toronto statue someday. The longtime NBA owner kept it simple: if a star walks away on his own terms, there’s no statue waiting at the city gates.
“No. You don’t get a statue if you leave,” Cuban said. “If you leave on your own accord, you do not get a statue. … Can’t do it. Particularly because he was only there a year. You don’t give a statue to a guy — and he would even tell you that. … If you’re gonna give one to him, you gotta put Kyle Lowry like in front of him. You gotta put Charlie V in front of even that one.”
Kawhi Leonard will forever be linked with that Raptors championship run, the four-bounce shot, and a playoff push that felt larger than life. But Cuban’s take points at the reality of legacy: one historic year doesn’t automatically turn you into a bronze monument in front of the arena.
It also highlights how complicated Kawhi Leonard’s place is in Raptors history. He delivered a title that changed the franchise, but Lowry spent years carrying the team through every rise and fall.
Cuban’s point lands because it’s consistent with how teams honor players. Statues are usually for lifers or near-lifers—those who stayed through winning, losing, and everything in between. Kawhi Leonard’s Toronto chapter is legendary, but it’s short. And for Cuban, that’s where the line gets drawn.
Kawhi Leonard’s Return Still Uncertain, But Clippers Like What They’re Seeing
Tyronn Lue offered a small but meaningful update on Kawhi Leonard’s status, and for Clippers fans, any sign of progress counts as good news.
“He did a few things,” said head coach Tyronn Lue on Leonard’s condition. “He’s definitely gotten better. I mean, I don’t know how long it’s gonna be. But he’s definitely gotten better. Just seeing him on the floor yesterday was really good to see.”
Kawhi Leonard has been the Clippers’ biggest “if” for years. When he’s healthy, they look like a team that can beat anyone. When he isn’t, everything gets shaky. This latest update doesn’t promise a timeline, but it shows Kawhi Leoanrd is trending upward. For a player who has dealt with long, slow recoveries, even simple progress is worth noting.
Lue’s words also paint a picture of a team trying to stay patient. Kawhi Leonard remains the centerpiece, the one player they trust when the game slows down and every possession matters. Seeing him back on the floor—even lightly—gives the Clippers something to hold on to while they wait for real clearance.
There’s also the question of rhythm. Kawhi Leonard returning late in a season always brings the challenge of fitting back into the pace, the system, and the chemistry already built. But the Clippers have done this dance before and know how to adjust around him.
Kawhi Leonard has had a knack for being unpredictable with his conditioning. Another wait-and-see process is underway for the Clippers fans.
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Dan has been active in sports since 2016 and has worked behind the scenes as a scriptwriter for basketball, volleyball, and other sports. At a time, Dan has also been working as a sports commentator for CBA Pilipinas. During the pandemic, he has also been actively writing betting articles for CashBet and BetNow.
