After the conclusion of practice on Thursday at Fortius Sport & Health in Bernady, BC, Toronto Raptors forward Chris Boucher spoke to NBA.com's Carlan Gay about the team's biggest addition of the offseason, Kawhi Leonard.
Leonard is a former NBA MVP runner-up whose health was in question for the majority of last season. According to Boucher, he's "looking like an MVP" again.
"He's looking great," Boucher told Gay. "He has so many ways to score and has so many ways to change his speed ... He's looking like an MVP."
Boucher is no stranger to seeing high-level talent. Spending last year's training camp with the Golden State Warriors and former MVPs Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant, he knows what an MVP-caliber player looks like.
Boucher also said that Leonard has been helpful at camp thus far.
"For someone like me, I'm just like a sponge, I just want to hear everything he has to say," the Canadian told Gay. "Learn the best from the best."
Leonard is set to make his Raptors debut on Saturday, Sept. 29, taking on the Portland Trail Blazers in the first of two NBA Canada Series preseason games. He will play in Toronto for the first time on Friday, Oct. 5 against Australia's Melbourne United.
It is important for this season to go well for Kawhi and the Raptors, as this is more-or-less a one-year trial between the star forward and franchise. Leonard has a player option in his contract for the 2019-2020 season, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent next offseason if he chooses.