Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers goes to the basket against Jabari Smith Jr. #10 of the Houston Rockets in the second half at Toyota Center on December 11, 2025 in Houston, Texas. 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 Tim Warner/Getty Images)

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Tyler Erzberger

By Tyler Erzberger

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Kawhi Leonard is the crown jewel of the most precious moment in Toronto Raptors' history, when the superstar led the franchise to its first and only NBA championship in 2019 by taking down the Golden State Warriors dynasty.

In the offseason, Leonard left Canada after a three-way battle between the Raptors, Los Angeles Lakers, and Los Angeles Clippers ended with him going to the Clippers to pair up with friend and fellow star Paul George.

Although he left, rumors have swirled for the past half-decade about how the Clippers stole Leonard away at the last-minute from the team he helped achieve ultimate basketball greatness, and that there was a possibility if the Raptors gave more into Leonard’s camp’s demands, he would have stayed.

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His teammate on that championship Raptors team, Fred VanVleet, recently came out to put those murmurs to rest.

Leonard was never staying in Toronto and, in fact, wanted to leave the first day he set foot in the building.

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MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - DECEMBER 05: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the LA Clippers looks on during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on December 05, 2025 in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Justin Ford/Getty Images)

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“He said it from day one, ‘I’m not staying here,’” VanVleet said in a recent podcast appearance. “...His mind was made up, man. Kawhi is Kawhi.”

VanVleet would go on to say that there was no bad blood between anyone, but that Leonard was forthright about the fact he didn’t want to play for the Raptors franchise long-term, even after winning a title. Leonard wondered why the team even traded for him in the first place, given that he had let it be known throughout NBA circles that he planned to return home to Los Angeles as a free agent.

Leonard has stayed on the Clippers since signing with them in 2019, although former running mate George is now in Philadelphia. Although still often injured, Leonard has continued to put up All-Star numbers when healthy, averaging 25 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.

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