'This year people are expecting us to be good': Raptors embracing pressure to perform
Now Playing
'This year people are expecting us to be good': Raptors embracing pressure to perform
Where does the duo of Leonard and Barnes rank in the NBA?
04:13
Where does the duo of Leonard and Barnes rank in the NBA?
Lewenberg discusses unfamiliar 'buzz' around Raps heading into new season
01:23
Lewenberg discusses unfamiliar 'buzz' around Raps heading into new season
Raptors embracing increased expectations this season: 'We have a target on our back'
03:20
Raptors embracing increased expectations this season: 'We have a target on our back'
TORONTO — The long wait is finally over: Kawhi Leonard is playing for the Toronto Raptors again.
Leonard is in the starting lineup tonight as Toronto hosts the Chicago Bulls in its home opener.
He was instrumental in the Raptors’ 2019 NBA championship but signed with his hometown Los Angeles Clippers that following off-season.
L.A. traded him back to Toronto this past summer, although the deal was delayed as the NBA investigated Leonard and the Clippers for salary cap circumvention.
Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic says that it’s very exciting to “bring a Hall of Famer back home.”
Rajakovic implied that the oft injured Leonard would be on a minutes restriction against the Bulls.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 21, 2026.
John Chidley-Hill, The Canadian Press