Mark Cuban cut straight to the point when the debate over Kawhi Leonard’s legacy in Toronto resurfaced. Appearing on the Run Your Race podcast, the Mavericks minority owner made it clear that, in his view, one spectacular season — even one that ends in a championship — isn’t enough to earn a statue if the star chooses to walk away.
Mark Cuban Says Kawhi Leonard Doesn’t Deserve a Statue In Toronto
When asked if Leonard deserved to be immortalized outside Scotiabank Arena, Cuban gave a firm response.
“No. You don’t get a statue if you leave,” Cuban said. “If you leave on your own accord, you do not get a statue. … Can’t do it. Particularly because he was only there a year. You don’t give a statue to a guy — and he would even tell you that. … If you’re gonna give one to him, you gotta put Kyle Lowry like in front of him. You gotta put Charlie V in front of even that one.”
Cuban’s comments, characteristically blunt, cut straight into the ongoing debate over how much one season should matter in a franchise’s history, even if it delivered the ultimate prize.
Leonard’s impact on the Raptors is unquestioned. In the 2018-19 season, he delivered the franchise’s first NBA championship, produced one of the most iconic playoff moments with “The Bounce,” and won Finals MVP.
He arrived via trade in July 2018 and left just a year later in free agency, signing with the LA Clippers in July 2019.
While the Raptors’ title remains one of the most memorable championship runs of the modern era, Leonard’s brief stay has complicated discussions about long-term honors.
Contrast that with legends such as Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, and Kobe Bryant — superstars whose statues stand outside their home arenas after spending the overwhelming majority of their careers with one franchise. Their legacies are inseparable from the teams they represented.
With Leonard, the story is different: greatness condensed into an unforgettable season, followed by a quick departure.
Leonard has remained a dominant two-way force throughout his career, known for suffocating defense and clutch performances. But his tenure in Los Angeles has been far from smooth.
He missed his ninth straight game Thursday because of an ankle and foot sprain, marking the 54th game he has missed since the start of the 2024-25 season.
Leonard has also faced off-court scrutiny after reports surfaced regarding a $28 million “no-show” endorsement deal with Aspiration, a now-defunct financial company. The arrangement allegedly raised questions about whether Clippers owner Steve Ballmer used it to circumvent salary-cap rules.
Leonard, who signed a three-year, $149,505,800 contract with the Clippers, has continued to battle injuries and ongoing questions about his long-term availability, issues that have somewhat marred his greatness.
