May 12, 2019; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) reacts after making a basket against the Philadelphia 76ers in game seven of the second round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
May 12, 2019; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) reacts after making a basket against the Philadelphia 76ers in game seven of the second round of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports | USA TODAY Sports
The Raptors fared pretty well in ESPN’s NBA player rankings. Scottie Barnes came in at number 17, which marked a significant jump from last year when he had been ranked 30th, and finished just ahead of LeBron James. Kawhi Leonard was ranked fifteenth. Having two top-twenty players bodes well for the Raptors’ goals of becoming a contender, and both still have room for improvement.
Barnes is just about to enter his prime, and playing with Leonard should open up a lot of offensive opportunities for him. Leonard could soar up the ranks if he can stay healthy and put up numbers similar to what he averaged with the Clippers.
“I think this is too low,” Brian Windhorst said on NBA Today. “The only reason he’s 15 is because we’re not sure how many games he’s going to play, and we’re never going to be sure. And I know that his name out here in LA right now is not in a good place, but his game was awesome last year. It was awesome the year before. He’s playing at a very high level. He does it for the Raptors this year, he’s going to be in the top ten.”
Leonard would have to overtake Jaylen Brown, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, and Tyrese Maxey to knock on the door of the top ten in ESPN’s player rankings. The top ten players have not been released yet. Toronto and Philadelphia will play four times in the regular season, so Leonard will get plenty of chances to show out against Brown and Maxey. They will be important games, too, as the 76ers are one of the biggest threats in the Eastern Conference after adding Brown and James in the offseason.
The Raptors hope Leonard can replicate last season’s production
The 2025-26 season marked just the second time since he left Toronto in 2019 that Leonard played over 57 games. While it didn’t yield another playoff appearance with the Clippers, his numbers were impressive. He averaged a career-high 27.9 points along with 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.9 steals per game. He was also incredibly efficient, shooting 50.5% from the floor, 38.7% from deep, and 89.2% from the free-throw line.
That’s exactly the kind of production the Raptors are hoping to get out of Leonard, even if it is “just” for around 65 games in the regular season. If he can play like that for the majority of the regular season and a playoff run, it should be enough to carry the Raptors to new heights.
However, the health concerns are real. If Leonard cannot stay healthy, the Raptors will have to get creative to sustain the momentum they built last season.
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