Kawhi Leonard said he does not regret leaving the Toronto Raptors for his hometown Los Angeles ten years ago, even as he expressed enthusiasm about returning to the city where he won an NBA title, according to CBC News and Global News.
Speaking at Raptors media day, Leonard declined to revisit questions about an investigation involving his time with the Los Angeles Clippers, instead emphasizing his commitment to Toronto, according to Yahoo Sports.
Leonard led the Raptors to their 2019 NBA championship before departing for Los Angeles, a career period that outlets referenced in covering his return.
How each side covered it
Left
- CBC News reported Leonard is happy to return to the Raptors.
- Leonard does not regret leaving Toronto after winning the 2019 title, per CBC News.
“Happy in return to Raptors, Kawhi Leonard doesn't regret leaving after winning 2019 NBA title” — CBC News
Center
- Global News reported Leonard has no regrets about moving to Los Angeles, his hometown, ten years ago.
- Global News noted Leonard is excited to return to the city where he won a title.
- Yahoo Sports reported Leonard declined to discuss the Clippers investigation at media day.
- Yahoo Sports quoted Leonard saying he is excited to be back, emphasizing commitment to Toronto.
“I'm excited to be here” — Yahoo Sports
Right
- Toronto Sun characterized Leonard's return as welcome but stopped short of calling it a full homecoming.
“This isn't 'Welcome Home,' but it is welcome back for Kawhi Leonard” — Toronto Sun
Questions readers ask
What did Kawhi Leonard say about leaving Toronto?
Kawhi Leonard said he does not regret leaving the Toronto Raptors for his hometown Los Angeles, even though he won an NBA championship with Toronto in 2019, according to CBC News and Global News.
Did Kawhi Leonard address the Clippers investigation?
According to Yahoo Sports, Leonard declined to revisit questions about an investigation involving the Los Angeles Clippers at Raptors media day, focusing instead on his commitment to Toronto.
Why does Kawhi Leonard's return to Toronto matter?
Leonard is returning to the Toronto Raptors, the team he led to their only NBA championship in 2019, before he left for the Los Angeles Clippers.
What did different outlets focus on regarding Leonard's comments?
Left- and center-leaning outlets emphasized Leonard's lack of regret over leaving and his excitement to return, while a right-leaning outlet framed his return with more reserved language, and center outlets also noted his avoidance of Clippers investigation questions.
Sources · 4 outlet reports
- CBC NewsLeft-leaningHappy in return to Raptors, Kawhi Leonard doesn't regret leaving after winning 2019 NBA title
- Global NewsCenterLeonard doesn’t regret move to L.A. after title
- Yahoo SportsCenterKawhi Leonard says he wants to move forward from NBA investigation in first comments back with Raptors
- Toronto SunRight-leaningSIMMONS: This isn’t ‘Welcome Home,’ but it is welcome back for Kawhi Leonard