The Toronto Raptors and Los Angeles Clippers were finally able to complete the trade that sent Kawhi Leonard back to Toronto, while Brandon Ingram and Gradey Dick were sent to the Clippers. This was a trade that was agreed upon in June, but due to the league's investigation into the Clippers, they had to wait for the green light.

Now, with punishments handed down and the Clippers complying with the league, things have moved forward. With Leonard on the Raptors, many expect them to be an improved team from last season, and ESPN's Marc Spears believes they are a team to watch out for.

“I saw the Toronto Raptors when they lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers, but they took them to seven games. This was certainly a team on the rise without Kawhi. Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett, and a lot of young talent. Now, Kawhi gets to go back to the Six and teach them how to win. Are they the favorites in the East? No. Are they scary in the East? Yes, I definitely think they are,” Spears said on NBA Today.

"Are they the favorites in the East? No. Are they scary in the East? Yes, I definitely think they are."@MarcJSpears weighs in on Kawhi's fit in Toronto 🏀🏀 pic.twitter.com/47pPa52gGs

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) September 14, 2026

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The Raptors were one of the better teams in the league with what they had last season, and Leonard is only going to make them better. It feels similar to what he did the last time he was with the Raptors in 2019, helping them win a championship.

There will be other teams to watch out for in the Eastern Conference, such as the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers, but the Raptors have the talent on the team to match up with them.

The big thing for the Raptors is keeping Leonard healthy, and if he's able to play over 65 games, they should be in good standing in the East. Anything lower than that, and the Raptors may be in trouble.