Kawhi Leonard enters a season built around him already wearing a three-year extension and a clean bill of health. The numbers he put up a year ago, before any of that was settled, are the real case for why Toronto bet big again.
The Workload
Leonard carried a 32.6 percent usage rate last season, by far the heaviest offensive load on the roster, and turned it into 27.9 points a game on 50.5% shooting, 38.7 percent from three on 6.8 attempts, and 89.2 percent from the line. His true shooting mark hit 62.9 percent, with an offensive rating of 120.3 against a defensive rating of 112.8. Across 65 games and 32.1 minutes a night, he also averaged 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.9 steals and 0.4 blocks, against 2.0 turnovers. Toronto's offense ranked just 14th in the league last season even with that scoring, while the defense finished 5th — the gap Leonard is paid to help close this season.
Paid To Stay
The extension runs $50.3 million this season, $56.1 million in 2027-28 and $58.9 million in 2028-29, making Leonard the largest contract on a payroll already past the luxury tax line at $202.5 million. At 35, in his 15th season, that price tag assumes health and continued efficiency more than further growth. It also assumes he stays the one offensive engine Toronto does not have to replace.
The Open Question
Leonard sat out Toronto's preseason finale at Detroit along with the rest of the regulars. He briefly appeared on the injury list earlier this month for a reason no report has explained, then was cleared today, and he is not currently listed with any issue. The season opens in five days against the Bulls, and for a 35-year-old whose value last season came from efficiency rather than volume, staying clear of that list matters more than any preseason number.
Is Kawhi Leonard injured heading into the season?
No. He briefly appeared on Toronto's injury list earlier this month for a reason that was never detailed, but he was cleared today and is not currently listed with any issue.
What does Kawhi Leonard's contract look like?
Leonard signed an extension paying him $50.3 million this season, $56.1 million in 2027-28 and $58.9 million in 2028-29, the largest deal on Toronto's roster.
