For Kawhi Leonard, who is coming off an All-NBA season, the Toronto Raptors paid a ton. They gave up Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, and most importantly, a haul of picks. The move was essentially a massive gamble at the end of the day, though, as Leonard doesn’t have the best track record in terms of health. In the event he doesn’t play enough for Toronto,  the trade for him will go down as one of their worst ever.
Just look at how many games he showed up in throughout his last four seasons as a Clipper: 222 out of 328. That’s an average of 26.5 absences per year, which is not a good look. It’s also worth noting that, in his time in LA, he suffered several notable injuries such as a torn ACL(2021) and meniscus(2023).
So, while there is optimism surrounding Leonard, considering he was relatively healthy during 2025-26, there are always availability concerns with him. And, if they appear at any point with the Raptors, there is no doubt their front office will heavily regret acquiring him from the Clippers.
Toronto’s trade for Kawhi will be graded with an F if Kawhi doesn’t stay healthy
At the moment, the Toronto Raptors’ blockbuster splash for Kawhi Leonard looks like a win. Sure, they paid the LA Clippers a significant amount, but it’s worth it when you’re getting a player that just averaged 27.9 points across 65 games, along with 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.9 steals.
Additionally, Leonard in Toronto fulfills the Raptors' defensive vision. They genuinely want to build a lineup that doesn’t allow points easily, and the two-time champion allows them to do so.
They’re now, without question, one of the top contenders in the Eastern Conference.
However, if Leonard suits up the amount he did for the Clippers, or worse, they will have lost the trade by a mile.
What’s worse? Leonard is not getting any younger. He’s already 35, and in Toronto there will be a ton of physical strain on his body, pressure on his shoulders, and an overall standard to live up to.
These are all characteristics that could easily impact the health of a superstar that’s known to be injury-prone.
That said, the Raptors simply have to hope Leonard can stay out of street clothes. The chances of that happening are up in the air, given his time with the Clippers.
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