Former NBA guard and current ESPN analyst Jalen Rose thinks the Toronto Raptors should retire Kawhi Leonard's No. 2 jersey when the Los Angeles Clippers come to Toronto on Dec. 11.

Leonard guided the Raptors to their first-ever championship last season and won his second Finals MVP. The superstar small forward left Toronto after one season to sign with the Clippers this summer.

“The boss move, retire his number that day,” Rose said. “I would retire his number that day. That's what should happen. You retire his number. Kawhi did something uniquely special. You give him a standing ovation and you retire his number when he returns.”

Article Continues Below
More Toronto Raptors News
The Raptors 2025 NBA Draft class hails from the SEC.
Toronto Raptors 2025 NBA Draft grades for every pickLorenzo J Reyna ·
Toronto Raptors forward Garrett Temple (17) warms up before the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center.
Raptors keeping veteran locker room voice with $3.6 million contractDavid Yapkowitz ·
Los Angeles Clippers guard Ben Simmons (25) at the end of the first quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center.
Raptors rumors: Ben Simmons floated as potential target following Masai Ujiri departureDavid Yapkowitz ·
Toronto Raptors vice chairman and team president Masai Ujiri talks to the media during media day at Scotiabank Area.
Masai Ujiri, Raptors part ways after 2025 NBA DraftPreston Byers ·
Florida Gators guard Alijah Martin (15) speaks to the media during a press conference for the men's 2025 NCAA tournament at Alamodome.
Raptors’ Alijah Martin sets record straight on Vince Carter’s jersey numberRichard Pereira ·
Florida Gators guard Alijah Martin (15) reacts after a play against the Houston Cougars during the second half of the national championship game of the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome.
Raptors select Final Four history maker with No. 39 pickRichard Pereira ·

Kawhi Leonard averaged 26.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists during the regular season for the Raptors. As all superstars do, Leonard took his game to another level in the playoffs. He put up 30.5 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists. Toronto defeated the Golden State Warriors in six games in the Finals.

Leonard is going to get a rousing standing ovation from the Raptors crowd on Dec. 11. Jalen Rose's jersey retirement idea is a bit of a stretch, though.

We're not saying the Raptors shouldn't consider retiring Leonard's jersey because what he did in just one season in Toronto was legendary. But to retire someone's number on the night they're playing in a game as a member of another team is just weird.