Rajakovic: ‘Day-to-day thing’ with Leonard

The Toronto Raptors concluded their final pre-season practice at Laval University on Friday, preparing for their upcoming game against the Miami Heat on Saturday night at the Videotron Centre. Kawhi Leonard, who played a crucial role in the Raptors' 2019 NBA championship, is uncertain about his availability for the Heat game as the team has been cautious with his injury concerns.

Leonard, who was traded back to Toronto from the Los Angeles Clippers this summer, did not take part in full-contact drills during the recent practice. Raptors head coach Marc Rajakovic expressed that the team is taking a cautious approach with Leonard's return. The Raptors are set to face one of the most improved teams in the NBA, with the team's coach acknowledging that most Eastern Conference teams have also improved.

The team's expectations are high, and Rajakovic emphasized that they are not influenced by the opinions of other teams. With the arrival of Miami's Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the return of NBA stars such as LeBron James and Jaylen Brown in Philadelphia, the Eastern Conference looks different this season. The Raptors have high hopes for their rookies and veterans alike to contribute to the team's success.

The team's first days of training camp went well, and now they look forward to testing their skills against outside competition. The first-ever NBA game in Quebec City is already sold out, a milestone that Rajakovic is proud of, acknowledging the team's influence in Canadian communities and the excitement among fans. After the Heat game, the Raptors will continue their training camp in British Columbia before playing the Clippers in Vancouver on October 10, Leonard's former team.