When the Toronto Raptors traded for Kawhi Leonard back in July, they knew they would be receiving a player worthy of top 10 status in the league. Two years prior, Leonard was in the running for the MVP vote, finishing third in the voting behind Russell Westbrook and James Harden.
Leonard only played nine games the following season and a lack of trust towards the San Antonio Spurs front office saw their relationship fracture beyond repair. In stepped Masai Ujiri, who swooped in made a franchise-altering deal, picking up Leonard and Danny Green while trading away long-time Raptors hero DeMar DeRozan and Jakob Poeltl.