Kawhi Leonard is happy to be home.
The new Raptors star won't make his home debut on Friday at Scotiabank Arena when Toronto hosts Australian team Melbourne United in a preseason game, but he will be able to spend some time in his new city. Leonard was traded to Toronto as part of a summer blockbuster deal that sent DeMar DeRozan to San Antonio, and while he's already played in Raptors colours in a pair of exhibition games on the West Coast over the past week, the 27-year-old hasn't had much time to explore his new city.
"We were gone for the last 10 days, then we got in [Wednesday] late, so I've still got some time to roam the city and see what it's about," Leonard told reporters Thursday at the Raptors practice facility in west Toronto.
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As one of the new players on a team with an established core, Leonard was appreciative of the extended training camp in Vancouver and subsequent games in that city and Utah, as it gave him time to get to know his new teammates. However, with the season drawing closer Leonard is happy to get to spend more time in Toronto.
"I think it was great for us to go on the road early, just so we can get some team chemistry and some bonding going," he said. "But it's always great to be home and sleep in your own bed."
With Leonard not suiting up against Melbourne, his first opportunity to play in front of the Toronto crowd will come on opening night of the regular season against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Raptors close out their preseason with games in Montreal (vs. Brooklyn, Oct. 10) and New Orleans (Oct. 11), so he'll have to bide his time until the Oct. 17 start to the season.
"We've still got some time until the first game but it's gonna be a great experience. It's gonna be my first time being on the home team here," Leonard said. "Everybody says it's a great energy and vibe [in the arena], I'm just ready to live in the moment and see for myself."