Back in Toronto, Kawhi Leonard Wants to Talk About the Raptors, Not the Investigation

Kawhi Leonard knew why so many reporters showed up to Raptors media day on Monday, and he said so. "You want to hear about the investigation," he said. "But talking with the NBA and the [NBPA], I think the best decision is to move forward and focus on my time being a Toronto Raptor."

It's his first media day in Toronto in eight years. The last one came before the 2018-19 season, when he averaged 26.6 points and won Finals MVP while leading the Raptors to their only championship.

He comes back after a messy exit from Los Angeles. The league found that the Clippers got around the salary cap by arranging endorsement deals for Leonard that required no work. Steve Ballmer was suspended for a year and two other executives were suspended. Leonard wasn't suspended but must pay the league $700,000. The investigation delayed his trade to Toronto, which eventually sent Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and several picks to the Clippers.

"I already was a distraction for the past 70 days and wasn't able to meet with my teammates," he said. "So, moving forward, I just want to talk about the Toronto Raptors today."

At 35 he's still very good. Leonard averaged a career-high 27.9 points in 65 games last season, made his seventh All-Star team and was second-team All-NBA. The Raptors signed him to a two-year, $115 million extension.

Coach Darko Rajakovic said the team will be careful with his minutes because of his age and injury history. Leonard's first game back in Los Angeles is Nov. 2, the second night of a back-to-back, which matters for a team planning to manage his workload.