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Reading: Fred VanVleet Believes The Toronto Raptors Would’ve Three-Peated If Kawhi Leonard Never Left
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Home > NBA News & Analysis > Fred VanVleet Believes The Toronto Raptors Would’ve Three-Peated If Kawhi Leonard Never Left

Fred VanVleet Believes The Toronto Raptors Would’ve Three-Peated If Kawhi Leonard Never Left

The Toronto Raptors lost Kawhi Leonard after one championship-winning season, but Fred VanVleet thinks they would have had more success if he stayed.

Ishaan Bhattacharya
Nov 30, 2022
3 Min Read
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Credit: Fadeaway World

The 2019 Toronto Raptors are one of the most feel-good stories in the NBA. Coming off 4 years of playoff losses at the hands of LeBron James, the Raptors took advantage of LeBron leaving for the Los Angeles Lakers by going all-in and trading beloved franchise cornerstone DeMar DeRozan for a one-year rental of former Finals MVP, Kawhi Leonard. 

The Raptors with Kawhi Leonard emerged as the best team in the league and eventually won the championship after the Golden State Warriors superteam fell foul with injuries to Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson. Leonard would leave Toronto after the title win and join the LA Clippers, but Fred VanVleet believes that the Raptors team could have 3-peated if Kawhi never left.

Serge Ibaka: "If Kawhi stayed [in Toronto], do we go back-to-back?"

Fred VanVleet: "Three-peat. For sure… I think definitely we would've won a few more."

(via @sergeibaka)pic.twitter.com/zzPWbsDObk

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 29, 2022

“3-peat. It was just the perfect group of individuals and we had the right mindset for the roles. I think definitely, we would have won a few more.”

Given the development we have seen from VanVleet, Pascal Siakam, and OG Anunoby, along with the smart roster moves the team has made, Kawhi really could’ve ensured the Raptors have a dynasty atop the NBA for a couple of seasons.  


Should Kawhi Leonard Regret Leaving The Toronto Raptors? 

The Toronto Raptors have only missed the playoffs one season since Kawhi’s departure, and that tank year landed them to Scottie Barnes. The franchise has a knack for making the right moves while building their roster, and the Raptors could have been deadly if Kawhi stayed on and the other players developed as they have. 

His time with the Clippers has been dominated by injury and a 3-1 playoff choke in the 2020 playoffs. Nobody is doubting Leonard’s talent, but it is likely that this same issue would have acted up on the Raptors and led to an injury. The players might not have developed as well around Leonard either, given the focus would have remained the star. 

Kawhi’s tenure in Toronto is perfect and everyone got what they needed. Nothing more, nothing less. 

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TAGGED:Fred VanVleetKawhi LeonardToronto Raptors Archive
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ByIshaan Bhattacharya
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Ishaan Bhattacharya is a content manager for Fadeaway World from New Delhi, India. With his expertise in NBA content creation, Ishaan brings a wealth of experience to his role, contributing to the site's authority and reach within the basketball community. Over the last year, Ishaan has interviewed Ray Allen and Mark Tatum, while also covering the 2023 NBA Abu Dhabi Games which saw the Dallas Mavericks take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.Since joining Fadeaway World in March 2022, Ishaan Bhattacharya has become known for his unique perspective on the NBA. He consistently delivers this insight through his daily news coverage and detailed opinion pieces on the most significant topics in the league.Before his tenure at Fadeaway World, Ishaan worked in corporate communications, where he serviced prominent sports brands, including NBA India, Sports18, Amazon Prime Sports, and Royal Challengers Bangalore. This experience in strategic communications for leading sports entities has enhanced his ability to craft impactful narratives and connect with a global audience.A true MFFLer (Mavs Fan for Life, for the uninitiated), Ishaan is a massive fan of the Dallas Mavericks. When he is not upset about Jalen Brunson walking in free agency, you can see Ishaan as an avid gamer and content creator. His passion for basketball extends beyond the Mavericks, as evidenced by his thoughtfully curated NBA Mount Rushmore, featuring LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Bill Russell—each representing distinct eras and bringing their unique qualities to the game.Featured On: ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Bleacher Report, Yahoo Sports, NBA, Fox Sports, The Spun
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