5 reasons the Toronto Raptors won the 2019 NBA Finals

2. This is why the Raptors traded for Kawhi Leonard

Leonard appeared in just nine games for the San Antonio Spurs in 2017-18. Additionally, he sat out 22 games during the 2018-19 season so he could prepare himself for a deep postseason run with Toronto. He did not disappoint.

With the series tied at 3-3 against the 76ers in the waning moments of Game 7, Leonard hit a game-winning shot that will go down as one of the biggest playoff moments in Raptors history.

In the next series against the Bucks, the Raptors looked to be in trouble after falling behind 0-2 to the team with the best record in the league. Toronto adjusted by switching Leonard onto Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the Raptors proceeded to take the next four games.

In Games 3 and 4 of the Finals series, both at Oracle Arena, the Klaw dropped 36 and 30 in those contests, allowing the Raptors to take a commanding 3-1 lead. In the six-game set against the Warriors, he compiled averages of 28.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.2 blocks.

Leonard scored at least 30 points on 14 different occasions during these playoffs. Furthermore, his postseason averages for this historic playoff run included 30.5 points, 9.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists per contest on 49 percent shooting overall and 37.9 percent from beyond the arc.

Should Leonard decide to opt out of his contract and become a free agent, as everyone expects him to do, making the blockbuster trade for him a year ago was still worth it, even if he does turn out to be a one-year rental.