The drama in the build-up to Kawhi Leonard’s eventual trade to the Toronto Raptors may have been incessant. The seven-time All-Star, however, has hit the ground running for his former team, producing a 21-point performance against the defending champions, the New York Knicks.

Speaking post-game, Leonard talked about his current mindset, claiming that he was back at Toronto to ‘fit in,’ per a post on X by ClutchPoints.

“I am just here to fit in, whatever is needed, from me,” he said. “If I am you know, above the ball and I am able to spray in the corner and if the shot doesn’t come to me, just giving anybody a lane, a drive to the basket, like I said, that’s how I learned to play the game in the NBA, running for others first and then yourself. I am just here to fit in like I said. You know, just trying to play good basketball and just being aggressive.”

"I'm just here to fit in… But fit out by trying to play great basketball."

Kawhi Leonard after a dominant first game back with the Raptors, where he dropped 21 points on 6-of-12 FG in 17 minutes last night vs. the Knicks 🗣

(via @NBA) pic.twitter.com/5rx4C3OnHZ

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 14, 2026

Leonard’s ability has never been under doubt, and he is widely seen as one of the best two-way players in NBA history. Despite missing a major part of the 2024-25 season due to his right knee injury, Leonard returned to familiar levels last season despite the controversy surrounding his contract with the Los Angeles Clippers.

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He averaged 27.9 points per game, the highest in his career, along with 6.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists while shooting at a career-high of 56.9% overall. Further, he also silenced questions surrounding his fitness, playing 65 regular-season games.

And while the Clippers were handed out heavy sanctions over the Aspiration saga, Leonard himself now looks ready to put the controversy behind him. Leonard has joined a team with a talented young core comprising the likes of Immanuel Quickley, Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett, a team that surprised the league last season with their high-intensity, offensively aggressive basketball that saw them finish with a 46-36 regular-season record.

Hence, Leonard is not only joining one of the most exciting young teams in the NBA, but he is also the kind of superstar who has the potential to transform them from a playoff team to a potential dark-horse title contender.