Kawhi Leonard spoke to the media for the first time since last season, claiming he doesn't regret the saga that unfolded upon his quad injury, causing his trade from the San Antonio Spurs to the Toronto Raptors earlier this summer.
“I have no regrets. Want to stay in the present, not look back,” said Leonard on Monday during Media Day, according to Ryan Wolstat of The Toronto Sun.
Asked if he looked at the trade to the Raptors as a one-year rental or a long-term commitment, Leonard remained noncommittal.
“I want to play here,” he said. “I came in with an open mind. I want to do great things… focus on this year. If you’re looking toward the future you’re going to trip over the present.”
Leonard was rather upbeat, cracking jokes and addressing questions with ease while expressing his willingness to be in what he called “Basketball City,” referring to his new home in Toronto.
A mystery has surrounded his injury situation for the entirety of 2017-18 and extended into the offseason, when reports of his trade request went viral, drawing plenty of interest across the league.
Eventually, it was Toronto who were willing to offer an instant-return package in exchange for Leonard, shipping then-lifetime Raptor DeMar DeRozan in return for the 2014 NBA Final MVP, hoping his health wouldn't deter the trade.
Leonard has looked good during workouts this summer and put Toronto's hopes in good standing for this season. His commitment beyond it is still in question — a storyline that will likely plague the Raptors during the entire 2018-19 campaign.
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