Brian Windhorst says there’s something NBA fans need to accept about Kawhi Leonard’s new Raptors deal

Brian Windhorst doesn’t want NBA fans to overlook what Kawhi Leonard has shown outside of the scandal surrounding him in the past year.

Kawhi Leonard has officially left the Los Angeles Clippers, and the organisation is also moving on. For the last year, all the conversation surrounding the superstar has been about the Aspiration scandal.

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Leonard is on the Toronto Raptors now, though, having just signed a 2-year, $115 million contract extension. The 35-year-old is locked in as he tries to bring another championship to the franchise.

NBA fans haven’t forgiven Leonard just yet, however. While conversations on social media continue regarding his behaviour, Brian Windhorst has reminded fans not to forget what Kawhi is still capable of.

Photo by Luiza Moraes/Getty Images

Brian Windhorst says Toronto Raptors ‘should be celebrating’ Kawhi Leonard deal because of his on-court performances

Kawhi Leonard was a machine on the court last season. He made the All-NBA Second Team, was named an All-Star and finished seventh in MVP voting to boot.

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Leonard averaged 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and nearly two steals per game for the Clippers in 2025-26. Windhorst explained that’s exactly why Raptors fans should be happy about having him for the next three years.

“Regardless of what you think of him, or anybody thinks of the way he operated during the Clippers’ tenure on the court last year, he was spectacular,” Windhorst said on ESPN.

“And he drove incredible value to the Clippers in the trade because of that season. Frankly, for the last year and a half, ever since he came off his most recent surgery, he has played spectacular basketball.

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“Getting him in Toronto with the rest of the good guys they’ve got, specifically, Scottie Barnes, who had a tremendous breakout year, there is reason for the Raptors to totally celebrate having him locked in.”

Kawhi is still only 35 years old. He has played 65 or more games in two of the last three seasons. The Raptors could end up benefiting massively from acquiring the two-time NBA Finals MVP.

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