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Toronto Raptors: 5 predictions for the 2018-19 NBA season

By Simon Smith

TORONTO, ON- SEPTEMBER 24 - Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) as the Toronto Raptors host their media day before going to Vancouver for their training camp. Media Day was held at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. September 24, 2018. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON- SEPTEMBER 24 - Toronto Raptors forward Kawhi Leonard (2) as the Toronto Raptors host their media day before going to Vancouver for their training camp. Media Day was held at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. September 24, 2018. (Steve Russell/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images) /

1. Kawhi Leonard to win the MVP

In order to ascertain the true value of Kawhi Leonard, you need to immediately scrap last season. A year consisting on nine games and zero impact makes it easy to forget just where Leonard stands in the upper echelon of players in the league.

In his last full season in 2016-17, Leonard averaged 25.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.8 steals while earning All-NBA First Team honors. Furthermore, Leonard was also selected to the NBA All-Defensive First Team while finishing third in MVP voting.

This is not to mention the fact that he won NBA Finals MVP honors in 2014 at age 22.

With a season of controversy and upheaval now behind him, it’s quite clear that Leonard will have a significant point to prove this season. At his introductory press conference, Leonard expressed an open mind in regards to his new surroundings:

"“I want to play here. As long as I have on a jersey, I want to play basketball. I came here with an open mind. … By winning games, this is how you get star-caliber players to want to come here and play.”"

Additionally, Raptors general manager Masai Ujiri recently expressed his feelings at Leonard’s arrival:

"“He is determined and seems in the right frame of mind….I think there is a fire inside of him and we are all excited about that….There is no maintenance with him. There are no tons of people around him. His (focus) is on basketball which is what you want. He is a basketball junkie.”"

Clearly, the key words here are “there’s a fire inside of him.”

A potential free agent at the end of the upcoming season, Leonard — who has a player option for 2019-20 he is expected to decline —  is naturally going to be ultra-determined to prove that he is still capable of being the best player on a title contender, while at the same time ensuring his next contract will be as lucrative as possible.

Next. 10 bold predictions for 2018-19. dark

Still just 27 and presumably still entering his prime, the time is now for Kawhi Leonard to break through and capture his first MVP trophy.

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