Multi-Billionaire Mark Cuban Calls Kawhi Leonard ‘Unworthy’ of Statue in Toronto

Mark Cuban argued against honoring Kawhi Leonard with a statue in Toronto.

Multi-Billionaire Mark Cuban Calls Kawhi Leonard ‘Unworthy’ of Statue in Toronto

Mark Cuban argues against honoring Kawhi Leonard with a statue in Toronto. (Image credits - Firstsportz)

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For someone who avoids the spotlight as much as he can, Kawhi Leonard has been in the headlines consistently this season. At first, the headlines were due to Leonard’s role in the Aspiration controversy.

At present, it is due to his never-ending physical problems and lack of availability for his club, the Los Angeles Clippers. When fit and healthy, Leonard is often regarded as one of the best two-way players in the league. His last game was against the Miami Heat on November 3, missing nine straight games since.

The Clippers forward was averaging 24.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.5 assists till his he sprained his right ankle and foot. The Clippers have gone 1-8 since his absence and currently sit at 12th with a 4-11 record in the Western Conference standings.

Before his arrival in LA, Leonard spent a season with the Toronto Raptors, helping them win their first-ever NBA championship and grabbing his second Finals MVP award. Once it’s all said and done, Leonard’s single-season run with the Raptors will likely be the most fond memory of his controversial career.

But when asked if Kawhi Leonard deserves a statue in Toronto on the Run Your Race podcast, former Dallas Mavericks majority owner, Mark Cuban was not for it.

No. You don’t get a statue if you leave. If you leave on your accord, you do not get a statue.

When podcast host Theo Pinson suggested that Leonard inspired several young Raptors fans with the 2019 championship run, Cuban countered with other great Canadian players who should be honored. Cuban added:

But first, they’re going to look at Shai [Gilgeous-Alexander] and they’re going to go down. There are a lot of great Canadian players.

Kyle Lowry deserves a statue over Kawhi Leonard, according to Mark Cuban

While Leonard gave the Toronto Raptors their biggest ever achievement in NBA history, the time he spent in Toronto does have an effect on his Raptors’ legacy. He may be the greatest player to put on a Raptors jersey but that does not necessarily guarantee legendary status in the franchise.

Lowry
Kyle Lowry (Image credits – Raptors Republic)

Cuban then explained the reasoning behind his statement, claiming Leonard’s time in Toronto was simply too short to get a statue from the franchise.

No, can’t do it. Particularly because he was only there a year. Six months…and he would even tell you that, right? If you’re going to give one to him, you’ve got to put Kyle Lowry in front.

Considering Kyle Lowry played a crucial role in the championship run while spending nine years of his career with the Raptors, a proposal for Lowry’s statue will hold more weight than for Kawhi.

Kawhi Leonard continues to struggle with injuries

Kawhi Leonard’s move to the Clippers may have been a league-changing move when the transfer first broke out. The reigning Finals MVP rejected a move to join LeBron James and city rivals, Los Angeles Lakers. But everything has fallen apart since. It is becoming harder and harder to justify the franchise jumping through hoops to appease Leonard.

Sitting at 12th, the Clippers have been one of the most disappointing teams in the NBA. And a large part of it is due to the absence of Leonard, who seems to be nowhere near returning at the moment. This will be the 55th game Leonard will have missed since the start of the 2024-25 season.

The 34-year-old has missed 215 regular-season games since joining the Clippers in 2019. These extended absences make it very hard for the Clippers to find continuity and build team chemistry as most of the offensive burden falls on 36-year-old, James Harden.

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