Before the Toronto Raptors won their first championship in 2019, they witnessed one disappointing playoff exit after another. Leading up to 2019, it got to a point where it felt pretty repetitive as they couldn’t get past LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers to the point that the term “LeBronto” was even coined.
Being swept by the Cavs in the Eastern Conference semifinals in 2018 was specifically the time when the Raptors reached their breaking point. When they did, their core players like Serge Ibaka admitted that was the time they truly looked at the mirror, from the players to the coaching staff and management. According to Ibaka, it was what pushed the organization to make the pivotal move of acquiring Kawhi Leonard.
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“I feel like I didn’t really do everything I was supposed to do at a high level to help my team at that point. That summer, I had to check everything: my diet, the way I worked, my weights, my game to adapt and the style in a way to help the team. I’m sure we all do the same thing, even the organization. That’s why after that you saw the trade, Kawhi [Leonard] came, Marc came so everybody was like enough is enough,” said Ibaka.
The trade that led to a championship
The Raptors couldn’t have asked for a better time to acquire Leonard, as it also happened that James was no longer in Cleveland, which opened their path to win the Eastern Conference. Once the Klaw landed in Toronto in the summer of 2018, the team achieved its second-best regular season record in franchise history (58-24) and had a 16-8 standing in the playoffs.
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Kawhi put together one of his best seasons in his career, averaging 26.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game during the regular season and arguably his most impressive playoff run by putting up 30.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists. With high-caliber role players such as Ibaka, Pascal Siakam, and Fred Vanvleet around him, Kawhi led the team to the promised land by defeating the Golden State Warriors in six games.
Too fast, too soon
Unfortunately for the Raptors, their run only lasted for a year because the summer after winning the championship, Leonard made the decision to transfer to the L.A. Clippers. Despite a strong inkling that Leonard would stay in Toronto, Ibaka admitted that he was surprised when the two-time Defensive Player of the Year awardee left, considering they were in a position to win more championships with the Raptors. Ibaka said that had Leonard not left, he would’ve had more championship hardware.
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“Bro, why are you asking this question? I think… I think at least two. I think about it every day. Ah, Kawhi… Kawhi… Kawhi… Two more. I think two more,” Ibaka said. “Yeah, at least two more. If he didn’t leave — two more. Two more. Two more.”
Leonard’s arrival may have put the Raptors out of their misery but it also turned out to be bittersweet because his departure prevented the opportunity of a potential dynasty. But who knows? Maybe one day, the organization will get the chance to make a pivotal move that will lead them back to the mountaintop once again.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Aug 23, 2025, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.