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By Rowan Fisher-Shotton
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The idea of Kawhi Leonard returning to the Toronto Raptors started last week in something that felt more like fantasy than reality.
Initial rumors linked the two-time Finals MVP and Defensive Player of the Year to several contenders as it became more and more clear that the Los Angeles Clippers didn't want to offer him a long-term extension.
Then everything changed. Over the weekend, reports emerged that Toronto and LA had had lengthy talks surrounding a potential deal sending Leonard back to Toronto. Then, ESPN's Shams Charania reported on Monday that the two sides were "seriously engaged" in negotiations. On Tuesday morning, it was reported that the franchises had agreed on player compensation but were working through draft compensation.
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Then, later that afternoon, it became official, as Charania reported the Clippers agreed to send Leonard back to the Raptors in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, one pick swap, and two second-round selections.
And just like that, Kawhi is back in The Six.
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Leonard spent just one season in Toronto after arriving from San Antonio in 2018, and he turned it into one of the greatest one-year rentals in NBA history. He averaged 26.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.8 steals per game during the regular season, earning second-team All-NBA honors, second-team All-Defense honors, and another All-Star nod.
Then, he exploded in the playoffs.
Leonard produced one of the best postseason runs of all time, averaging 30.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.7 steals over 24 playoff games. His Game 7 series-winning buzzer beater, the first in NBA history, against the Philadelphia 76ers in the second round of the playoffs remains one of the greatest shots of all time.
Leonard followed that up by leading Toronto past Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks in six games before knocking off a Golden State Warriors squad led by Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Kevin Durant. He won his second Finals MVP, while the Raptors cemented one of the most iconic runs in league history.
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This return looks dramatically different from 2019. Pascal Siakam is in Indiana. Fred VanVleet is in Houston. Meanwhile, Marc Gasol, Serge Ibaka, and Danny Green have all retired. Though it is worth noting that both Kyle Lowry and Norman Powell are set to become unrestricted free agents.
Leonard now steps into a younger core ready to compete, headlined by Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, and Immanuel Quickley, alongside ascending talent like Collin Murray-Boyles, Ja'Kobe Walter, and Jamal Shead.
Also, unlike his first stint, this doesn't appear to be a one-year gamble for the Raptors. Toronto reportedly intends to sign him to a two-year extension, giving him at least the next three years to further cement his legacy and bring another title back to the city.
The Raptors' championship window just became wide open yet again. Seven years later, Leonard returns to Toronto to potentially repeat history and, apparently, retire as a Raptor when all is said and done.
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