The Aporia · Raptors media day: Kawhi Leonard speaks publicly for first time since blockbuster trade

The Toronto Raptors hold their annual media day on Monday starting at 9 a.m., where key players including new acquisition Kawhi Leonard will speak to the press for the first time since his trade from the Los Angeles Clippers was finalized. Other scheduled participants include coach Darko Rajakovic and expected starters Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, Scottie Barnes, and Jakob Poeltl. Following media day, the team heads to Quebec City for training camp culminating in a preseason game against the Miami Heat on Saturday.

Written by AI on 2026-09-28, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

Story summary

On September 25, 2026, the Toronto Raptors held their media day ahead of the upcoming NBA season. Among key players attending were Scottie Barnes, Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, Kawhi Leonard, and Jakob Poeltl. Leonard, who was recently traded from the Los Angeles Clippers, spoke publicly for the first time since the trade. Meanwhile, Barrett, a free agent after this season due to lack of contract extension talks, emphasized his focus on training and helping the team. The Raptors are set to begin their training camp in Quebec City later that week, culminating with a preseason game against the Miami Heat on September 30.

Written for “Raptors Media Day Interviews” on 2026-11-04, grounded in this article and the 2 other(s) covering the same event.

📰 Raptors Media Day Interviews

Sports · 3 article(s) covering the same event. See how they differ ↓

This article reads unscored and hedges 0% of its claims. Each row says how that neighbour differs.

Barrett's future, Poeltl's back and a Barnes photobomb: What we learned at Raptors media day Same event

Toronto Star

Hedges 1 of 38 claims Outlet record 64/100

Raptors mailbag: The inside scoop on media day and the funniest former players Different event

Toronto Star

Hedges 2 of 88 claims Outlet record 64/100

“Although both articles mention Raptors' media day on September 27 or 28, 2026, they describe different aspects of it. Article A focuses more generally on the protocol and questions from fans about media day, while Article B specifically discusses Kawhi Leonard's public appearance for the first time since a trade.”

NBA camps set to open with Media Day in most cities on Monday, then practices Tuesday Different event

Toronto Star

Hedges 2 of 29 claims Outlet record 64/100

“Article A mentions Media Day for multiple teams on Monday, while Article B focuses specifically on Kawhi Leonard's media day with the Raptors.”

Article leaning vs. publisher reliability

Source leaning vs. consistency

Doug Smith

27 article(s) here · 1 carrying a prediction

🔮 It gave him a lot, but that didn’t mean the Raptors could match the financial aspects.

2026-11-02 · assertive framing · The Raptors helped Sandro Mamukelashvili make $52 million. He hasn’t forgotten

🔮 It would appear that France has more top-quality big men than they know what to do with, and that Canada has more top-quality guards and wings than we know what to do with.

2026-11-01 · assertive framing · Raptors mailbag: Is it time to find a replacement for Jakob Poeltl?

🔮 Thanks for all you have done and will do in keeping us informed.

2026-10-25 · assertive framing · Raptors mailbag: Who makes Toronto's all-time hustle team?

🔮 The Raptors have been building toward this for years, trying to assemble a collection of multi-faceted, above-average defenders who will give them a chance every night they take to the court.

2026-10-24 · assertive framing · Can Raptors defence the Darko way handle Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball? They’re about to find out

🔮 Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.

2026-10-22 · assertive framing · Raptors show defensive chops

🔮 Kawhi Leonard is back, and so are the Raptors' championship hopes There will be noise attached to this Raptors season, noise they have not heard for years, associated with legitimate contenders, and noise they are anxiously awaiting.

2026-10-21 · assertive framing · Raptors vs. Bulls live: Kawhi Leonard releases hype video to thank Toronto ahead of tonight's home opener

🔮 Improving on that record would go a long way to vault them in position to have home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.

2026-10-21 · assertive framing · Raptors' checklist: Five keys to turning a promising roster into a successful NBA season

🔮 Without him, I don’t think it would be the team we are.

2026-10-19 · assertive framing · Part Lowry, part VanVleet. Jamal Shead has become the heart and soul of the Raptors

🔮 It’s fun for me and more varied questions might interest some of you, too.

2026-10-18 · assertive framing · Raptors mailbag: The RJ Barrett trade noise should finally stop — but it won't

🔮 It’s unlikely the Raptors will change their starting lineup but that group should close every close game.

2026-10-16 · assertive framing · Raptors flash on defence in pre-season loss to Knicks

Also by Doug Smith

The Raptors helped Sandro Mamukelashvili make $52 million. He hasn’t forgotten

2026-11-02 · Toronto Star

Raptors mailbag: Is it time to find a replacement for Jakob Poeltl?

2026-11-01 · Toronto Star

Raptors mailbag: Who makes Toronto's all-time hustle team?

2026-10-25 · Toronto Star

Can Raptors defence the Darko way handle Anthony Edwards and LaMelo Ball? They’re about to find out

2026-10-24 · Toronto Star

Nothing else under this byline is closely related to this article, so these are simply their most recent.

All 27 articles by Doug Smith →

Either way, the 2026-27 Raptors season kicks off officially Monday with the annual media day series of interviews that will start after 9 a.m. A series of key players — the preliminary, unofficial lineup includes coach Darko Rajakovic and presumptive starters Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, Scottie Barnes, Kawhi Leonard and Jakob Poeltl — will answer questions from a podium to start the season’s festivities.

framing: assertive · carried by 1 article(s) · first seen 2026-09-28

🔮 Either way, the 2026-27 Raptors season kicks off officially Monday with the annual media day series of interviews that will start after 9 a.m. A series of key players — the preliminary, unofficial lineup includes coach Darko Rajakovic and presumptive starters Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, Scottie Barnes, Kawhi Leonard and Jakob Poeltl — will answer questions from a podium to start the season’s festivities.

2026-09-28 · Toronto Star

Raptors media day: Kawhi Leonard speaks publicly for first time since blockbuster trade · assertive framing

lineup → kick → festivities

A lot of the heavy lifting will be done by Scottie Barnes this NBA season and expectations are The headliner is Leonard, obtained in a summer trade from the Los Angeles Clippers. asserted

headliner → do → Clippers

Aside from an appearance in a franchise-approved, Open Gym episode, Leonard hasn’t spoken publicly since the long process that ended when his trade was made official earlier this month. asserted

trade → approve → process

After this morning’s session, the Raptors leave for four days of training camp in Quebec City ending with a pre-season game against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Miami Heat on Saturday night. asserted

Raptors → leave → night

Raptors media day: Kawhi Leonard speaks publicly for first time since blockbuster trade

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