Toronto Takes Cautious Approach With Leonard's Return to Action

Toronto Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic announced that newly acquired All-Star Kawhi Leonard will remain sidelined for at least another week of preseason play as the team builds up his conditioning. Leonard has not played competitive basketball since the previous season's playoff tournament and will miss games against Miami and the Clippers before potentially seeing action. The 35-year-old is expected to make his Raptors debut in games following Vancouver's preseason contest.

The Toronto Raptors acquired Leonard through an offseason trade from the Los Angeles Clippers, bringing the veteran All-Star back to the franchise where he won a championship. Leonard's absence from competitive play extends beyond the current preseason; his last game action occurred in a playoff matchup against Golden State during the previous season. Coach Rajakovic emphasized that the delayed trade completion further complicated Leonard's preparation timeline, preventing him from participating in any summer training or conditioning work with his new organization.

The team's cautious management strategy reflects both Leonard's age and his well-documented injury history throughout his career. Toronto's goal involves maximizing his availability during the regular season and playoffs rather than risking setbacks through premature preseason exposure. Leonard's contract incentives, which require reaching the 65-game minimum for All-NBA eligibility, may influence his participation targets moving forward.