The question of whether Kawhi Leonard deserves a statue in Toronto has been debated for years. Some say that's only logical because he led the Raptors to their first and so far only NBA championship.

Others argue that he didn't play long enough to deserve one.

Dallas Mavericks minority owner Mark Cuban has another reason why Leonard doesn't deserve a monument in Toronto:

"You don't get a statue when you leave," said Cuban. "If you leave on your own accord, you don't get a statue."

Kawhi resided with the Raptors for less than a calendar year

Leonard was a one-and-done Raptor. The Spurs traded him to Toronto in July 2018 and he played only 60 regular-season and 24 playoff games for the Raptors. However, Toronto went 58-24 during that 2018-19 season, was the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference and went on to dethrone the Golden State Warriors in the 2019 NBA Finals. 

But Kawhi became a free agent that summer and he rejected an offer from the Raptors to return, instead choosing to play for his hometown, Los Angeles and signing with the L.A. Clippers. Since he signed with Toronto on July 18th of the previous year and inked his deal with L.A. on July 10, 2019, his stint in Canada was even shorter than a calendar year. Cuban also thinks that's too short for a tenure to merit a statue.

"Can't do it. Probably because he was only there a year. You don't give a statue to a guy who… And he would even tell you that, right? If you're gonna give one to him, you gotta put Kyle Lowry like in front. You gotta put Charlie V. in front of even that one," he added.

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Cam Johnson said context is the key

Cuban has a valid point there. However, current Denver Nuggets forward Cam Johnson made an argument in 2023 that would rebut the Mavs' owner. According to Johnson, in most cases, players who played only one season with a team don't deserve to get a statue, but what Kawhi did with the Raptors was stuff that legends are made of.

Also, Cam said Toronto's love for Kawhi didn't fade away when he left.

"I think context is key here,"said Johnson. "How geeked was the city of Toronto? And to bring a championship to that city in the manner that he did, against the powerhouse of the Warriors, injuries or not, it's the game. So context is key here. That run was legendary. That Toronto championship was legendary. Like it's all how a city feels about you. That's what a statue is and they loved him. And they said, like, 'Kawhi's always good in Toronto. Toronto will always love Kawhi."

Kawhi's stint in Toronto was short, but it was memorable. And for the Raptors and their fanbase, it was their highest of highs. Unless the team can win again and top that feeling before Kawhi hangs up those sneakers, there's a fairly good chance that he's gonna get his statue there, perhaps even before Kyle Lowry.

But for Cuban, whose most memorable star (Dirk Nowitzki), who won his franchise's lone NBA title, played 21 seasons with them, you can understand where he is coming from.

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This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Nov 22, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.