Scottie Barnes Kawhi Leonard
Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard drives past Raptors forward Scottie Barnes to the basket last year. The pair are now teammates.
Long before Barnes became the NBA’s rookie of the year, a two-time all-star and an all-defensive second team player, he was asked if he could pick one teammate in the pros, who would it be?
Barnes didn’t hesitate in his answer to ESPN’s national recruiting analyst Paul Biancardi.
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He wanted to be teammates with Kawhi Leonard.
“The defensive presence that he can bring … and I like to play defence so it would just carry over,” Barnes said back in 2019.
It was meant to be 🥹 @kawhileonard @ScottBarnes561 pic.twitter.com/wOhYKoOyw5
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) September 15, 2026
On Monday night, Barnes officially had his wish come true as the trade between the Raptors and the Los Angeles Clippers was made official, with Leonard coming back to Toronto after leading the organization to a championship seven years ago.
In acquiring Leonard, the team sent Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round draft picks in 2031 and 2033, second-round picks in 2030 and 2033 and a possible swap of 2027 first-round draft picks to the Clippers.
The deal was first announced June 30 but put on hold amid the NBA investigation into Leonard and the Clippers for salary cap circumvention.
On Tuesday, the Raptors’ social media team shared highlights of Leonard with the Raptors including one of him at a draft workout for Toronto in 2011. (Leonard was drafted 15th while Toronto took Jonas Valanciunas at No. 5).
We going way back with this one 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/a4sYQSvHah
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) September 15, 2026
Barnes reshared the team’s post on his Instagram welcoming Leonard back.
During the Raptors’ first Summer League game, the 25-year-old was asked about the potential addition of Leonard.
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“Seems very dangerous,” Barnes told NBA TV. “We got people everywhere on the floor, every position that’s ready to guard … we’re trying to take candy from a baby, essentially.”
“We know what Kawhi can do out there,” Barnes said of the potential pairing. “Be able to score the ball, guard the ball, steals, active. He’s going to fit right in.”
Leonard averaged a career-high 27.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 65 games last season with the Clippers.
He and Barnes will suit up as teammates when the Raptors begin training camp Sept. 28.
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