{
  "id": 11098501,
  "title": "Raptors news: Kawhi Leonard claims to need ramp up time due to Clippers trade delay",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/raptors-news-kawhi-leonard-claims-to-need-ramp-up-time-due-to",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-01T03:26:31.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/raptors-news-kawhi-leonard-claims-032631371.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic has expressed concern about Kawhi Leonard's workload as the team ramps up for the new NBA season, stating that they will take a cautious approach due to Leonard's age and injury history. Leonard, a two-time NBA Finals MVP, has confirmed that he is being gradually introduced to play time, citing the NBA's investigation and trade delay as reasons for his limited participation so far. With the Raptors facing Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers in their first back-to-back of the season on November 2nd, the outcome of Leonard's return remains uncertain, as he has not yet fully played five-on-five in the offseason. The team, bolstered by the addition of Scottie Barnes, holds the potential to be a strong contender in the Eastern Conference and a threat in the playoffs, provided Leonard can maintain his health.",
  "summary": "The Toronto Raptors are hard at work in Quebec City as training camp is underway for the NBA’s lone Canadian franchise. With Kawhi Leonard now in the fold joining forces with Scottie Barnes and a strong Raptors squad, it’s hard to put a ceiling on the team. As camp gets underway this week, the Raptors have been limiting just how much work Kawhi […] The post Raptors news: Kawhi Leonard claims to…",
  "key_points": [
    "Raptors cautious approach for Kawhi Leonard due to age and injury history",
    "Leonard gradually introduced to play time, NBA investigation factor",
    "Raptors face Luka Doncic and Lakers in back-to-back on November 2nd"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Raptors news: Scottie Barnes reacts to Kawhi Leonard’s ‘Scottie’s team’ claim",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/raptors-news-scottie-barnes-reacts-to-kawhi-leonards-scotties-team",
        "published": "2026-10-01T01:02:35.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}