3 former Toronto Raptors who must make the 75th Anniversary Team

3. Kawhi Leonard

Leonard’s time in Toronto still seems kind of surreal. He was acquired by the Raptors in a trade with the San Antonio Spurs in the summer of 2018, led the Raptors NBA championship, then signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Clippers in the summer of 2019.

The forward played 60 regular-season games in 2018-19 and 24 games in the 2019 postseason with the Raptors. His honors that season included Finals MVP, All-NBA Second Team, and All-Defensive Second Team. Oh, and he also hit the most famous shot in franchise history.

Raptors legend Kawhi Leonard is a lock for the Hall of Fame.

At age 30, Leonard already has a Hall-of-Fame resume. He’s a two-time NBA champ, two-time Finals MVP, two-time Defensive Player of the Year, five-time All-NBA selection, seven-time All-Defensive selection, and five-time All-Star.

Leonard has career averages of 19.2 points, 6.4 rebounds. 2.9 assists and 1.8 steals in 576 regular season games. In 135 playoff games, he’s averaged 21.2 points and 7.9 boards per game.

There will be the argument that the 10-season veteran hasn’t played long enough to be considered for the 75th Anniversary Team, but his selection would hardly be unprecedented.

After all, at the time it was announced, the 50 Greatest included three active players with less NBA tenure than Leonard: Shaquille O’Neal (4 seasons), Scottie Pippen (9), and David Robinson (7). Kawhi is one of the best wing players of all time, and his only season in Toronto did a ton when it came to enhancing his legacy.