Fred Van Vleet Reveals Raptors Locker Room's True Feelings to 2018 Kawhi Leonard Trade
When the Toronto Raptors traded DeMar DeRozan for Kawhi Leonard in 2018, it was not just fans who were stunned. According to Fred VanVleet, the move hit the Raptors locker room hard too because DeRozan was one of the most respected and well-liked players on the team.
At the same time, VanVleet admitted the trade also sent a very clear message. The Raptors were done being satisfied with good regular seasons and playoff disappointments. Bringing in Leonard showed the organization was willing to make painful decisions if it meant giving itself a real shot at winning a championship.
Fred VanVleet said the trade was difficult for the locker room because of what DeMar DeRozan meant to the team, the city and Canada as a whole.
Fred VanVleet on when Kawhi Leonard got traded to the Raptors:
— NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) April 18, 2026
"I think it was two things, number one, what Demar meant to the team and to the organization, to the country, like to Canada at that time for us to trade him. First of all, we fired Casey first, then we traded Demar.… https://t.co/ZTs5Mzkbxdpic.twitter.com/1B92MvD15l
For younger players like VanVleet, Pascal Siakam, Norman Powell and OG Anunoby, it was a wake-up call after the team also moved on from coach Dwane Casey.
"We were like, ‘This is real now,'" VanVleet said. "They're not happy with what we've been doing."
There was concern when reports came out that Kawhi Leonard did not want to be in Toronto, but VanVleet said that changed quickly once he arrived at training camp.
"I knew right away," VanVleet said. "We're going to win a championship."
A Second Team Aiming for Championship Glory With Kawhi Leonard at the Center of It
The Los Angeles Clippers may have fallen short again, but they are not hitting reset anytime soon. Despite the uncertainty around Kawhi Leonard after the team's play-in exit, the Clippers are still fully committed to building around him.
Team president Lawrence Frank made that pretty clear when he spoke to reporters at the end of the season. The message was simple: if Leonard still wants to compete for championships in Los Angeles, the Clippers want to do it with him.
That is interesting because the team made some major roster moves this season. Veterans like James Harden and Ivica Zubac were moved out, while younger pieces such as Darius Garland and Bennedict Mathurin came in. On the surface, it looked like the Clippers might finally be preparing for life after Leonard, but Frank pushed back on that idea.
Instead, the organization sees this as more of a transition period than a rebuild. They believe they still have enough talent to compete now while also adding younger players, draft picks and future flexibility.
Leonard, meanwhile, is coming off one of the best scoring seasons of his career. He stayed relatively healthy, played 65 games and averaged almost 28 points a night. That is a big reason why the Clippers still believe their window is not closed yet.
Related: Steve Kerr Addresses Coaching a Warriors Team Without Stephen Curry
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This story was originally published April 18, 2026 at 11:04 AM.