Kawhi Leonard's return to the Toronto Raptors is about more than chasing another NBA championship.

After Toronto officially completed its trade for Leonard from the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday, the star forward explained during the latest episode of “Open Gym” that his decision to return was influenced heavily by his family's connection to the city and his desire to avoid bouncing around the league late in his career.

“You know, I’m not really championship chasing trying to find the best team I could win,” Leonard said. “I didn’t want to put on a thousand jerseys and the city took a liking to my family. I took a liking to the city, really enjoyed it. My son was born here and he’s been asking me forever when he’s going to come back. So, now he’s back he’s able to see it rather than me tell him the great stories that happened.”

Leonard's history with Toronto stretches back to the 2018-19 season, when the Raptors acquired him from the San Antonio Spurs in a blockbuster trade.

Despite spending only one season with the organization, Leonard produced the defining postseason run in franchise history. He led Toronto to its first NBA championship, averaging 30.5 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists across 24 playoff games.

The Raptors defeated the Golden State Warriors in six games in the 2019 NBA Finals, with Leonard capturing his second Finals MVP award.

"I'm not really championship chasing or trying to find the best team I could win. I didn't want to put on a thousand jerseys."

Kawhi Leonard on being traded back to the Raptors.

(via @Raptors)pic.twitter.com/9qKMoHRoa5 https://t.co/56H07zSrlc

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 16, 2026

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Leonard then left Toronto in free agency to join the Clippers, where he spent the next seven seasons before returning to the Raptors in Monday's trade.

Kawhi Leonard’s Raptors return carries meaning beyond championship pursuit

Toronto sent Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two unprotected first-round picks, one first-round pick swap and two second-round selections to Los Angeles to reacquire Leonard.

The reunion comes at a different stage of Leonard's career. At 35, the six-time All-Star is returning to a franchise and city where he already established a lasting legacy rather than searching for a new destination that could provide the clearest path toward another championship.

Toronto will still enter the 2026-27 season with expectations surrounding Leonard's return. However, his explanation makes clear that the decision carried significance beyond basketball.

Seven years after leaving following a championship season, Leonard is returning to a city that became an important part of his family's life — and one his son has been waiting to experience for himself.