When Kawhi Leonard got traded to the Toronto Raptors with shooting guard Danny Green, he wasn't entirely sure how good the team was going to be.

The Raptors were the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference in 2017-18, so Leonard knew he was joining a good team with a lot of potential. Now four games away from an NBA Finals trip, Leonard says the team's goal of getting to the Finals is almost complete.

Article Continues Below
More Toronto Raptors News
Kevin Durant photoshopped in Raptors
Raptors trade proposal for Kevin Durant as Giannis Antetokounmpo consolationBailey Bassett ·
Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajaković looks on during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center.
Raptors rumors: What Toronto is ‘coveting’ with No. 9 pickTroy Finnegan ·
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant (35) shields the ball from Toronto Raptors forward Jonathan Mogbo (2) in the second half at Footprint Center.
Raptors rumors: Kevin Durant trade a backup option to Giannis AntetokounmpoTroy Finnegan ·
Duke Blue Devils guard Kon Knueppel (7) reacts after a play against the Houston Cougars during the first half in the semifinals of the men's Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at Alamodome. Carter Bryant
3 players Toronto Raptors must avoid in 2025 NBA DraftZachary Howell ·
Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajaković looks on from the bench during a NBA game against the Boston Celtics at Scotiabank Arena.
Raptors rumors: Toronto ‘canvassing the league’ for next big offseason splash, says InsiderBenedetto Vitale ·
image thumbnail
NBA rumors: Nets exploring Cam Johnson trade with Raptors, RocketsErik Slater ·

The Raptors have never made it to the NBA Finals before. That's why Masai Ujiri took the risk of trading for Leonard because he knew Kawhi was the type of player who could take the franchise to the next level.

After Kawhi played in only nine games last season with the San Antonio Spurs due to a lingering quadriceps injury, everyone wanted to know what version of Leonard we were going to see this season with the Raptors. The two-time Defensive Player of the Year showed everyone he's still one of the best players in the NBA. Leonard averaged 26.6 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists during the regular season while shooting 49.6 percent from the field and 37.1 percent from beyond the arc.

As all superstars do, Leonard has taken his game to the next level in the playoffs. The Raptors' best player is putting up 31.8 points in the postseason and hit the game-winning shot at the buzzer in Game 7 against the Philadelphia 76ers this past Sunday.