The Toronto Raptors changed when they acquired Kawhi Leonard in 2018. Things weren’t going well for Leonard with the San Antonio Spurs during the 2017-18 season. He only appeared in nine games, averaging 16.2 points. He was dealing with injuries at the time, which strained his connection with the front office.
Things changed when the Raptors traded DeMar DeRozan, Jakob Poeltl and a first-round pick for the 2014 Finals MVP and Danny Green. However, former Raptors guard Fred VanVleet revealed on his recent appearance on the “Hello and Welcome” podcast that Leonard had no long-term plans to stay in the Canadian city.
“No, and the only reason why is because he did what he came to do. And he said it from day one, ‘I’m not staying here.’
“He (Kawhi) said it from day one… I’m not staying here.” – @FredVanVleet pic.twitter.com/zwK8oDehz6
— hello and welcome (@hellowelcomepod) December 15, 2025
“From day one, ‘I don’t know why they traded for me, I don’t want to be here, I’m not staying here.’”
Although Kawhi Leonard helped the team win the 2019 championship, he showed no signs of interest in returning. He was set to be a free agent during the summer. The city of Toronto and the Raptors organization did everything to convince Leonard to stay.
“I think for us, there is nothing more that we can do. We’ve done it. The city has done it. This franchise has done it. The coaches have done it. My teammates have done it. We’ve done our job,” VanVleet continued. “The best way to recruit somebody is to just be yourself over the course of the year and I would assume that he knows what is here and what makes this place special.”
Kawhi Leonard’s ex-teammate was surprised that he left Toronto
A star player typically decides to stay after winning a championship with one team. However, Kawhi Leonard is no ordinary star. His former teammate, Serge Ibaka, was surprised that Leonard opted to leave.
“So I didn’t really think Kawhi’s going to leave. I was like we’ve just won, who does that? If he doesn’t leave, two more,” Ibaka said on the “Hello and Welcome” podcast.
Although the Raptors had a competitive team, Leonard wanted to return home to Los Angeles. Since then, he’s been with the Los Angeles Clippers.
