The Toronto Raptors will be without Kawhi Leonard for the next several weeks after the star forward experienced swelling in his left knee. An MRI revealed no acute injury, but Leonard will undergo treatment and rehabilitation before being re-evaluated in one week.
Leonard’s absence leaves a significant hole in Toronto’s lineup early in the 2026-27 season, as he has had a good start in his return with Toronto. With the Raptors looking to maintain their momentum, third-year guard Ja’Kobe Walter could
be in line for an expanded role as the team looks for someone to step up in Leonard’s absence.
What does Walter offer?
Walter enters his third NBA season looking to establish himself as a consistent contributor in Toronto’s rotation. The young guard has the ability to stretch the floor with his perimeter shooting, while his defensive instincts and quick hands give him the potential to make an impact away from the ball. He can also play alongside Toronto’s primary ball-handlers, allowing him to contribute without needing to dominate possession. However, consistency remains a key question, particularly as he looks to contribute beyond his shooting and prove he can handle increased responsibility against opposing starters.
Walter began the campaign in a reserve role, but Kawhi Leonard’s absence has created an opportunity for him to take on more responsibility. He made an immediate impression in Toronto’s season opener against the Chicago Bulls, recording 10 points and three steals. He followed that performance with seven points against the Washington Wizards before breaking out against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Oct. 25.
The third-year guard led Toronto with 22 points on seven-of-12 shooting, including five three-pointers, in 31 minutes against Minnesota. Although the Raptors fell 117-94, Walter’s performance offered an encouraging glimpse of what he could provide with an expanded role. The challenge now is turning that breakout performance into consistent production as Toronto navigates Leonard’s absence.
The opportunity ahead
Leonard’s absence presents Walter with a chance to show the coaching staff how his game can translate to a larger role. Beyond knocking down open shots, Walter will need to make quick decisions, attack defensive gaps and take advantage of opportunities in transition. Those areas could help him remain effective even when opposing defences limit his looks from the perimeter.
There is also a longer-term benefit to consider. With more minutes comes the opportunity to gain experience against tougher matchups and learn what it takes to contribute consistently at the NBA level. Walter may not be able to fill the void left by a player of Leonard’s calibre, but this stretch could offer a clearer picture of his ceiling and where he fits into Toronto’s plans moving forward.
My Thoughts
Personally, I’m very high on Walter and believe he has been a valuable contributor off the bench for the Raptors. This will undoubtedly be a big test for him, but I think he is well-positioned to handle the opportunity. Nobody expects him to replicate Leonard’s production, but with his skill set and the pieces Toronto already has in place, I believe the transition from the bench to the starting lineup could be smoother than some might expect.
This is a great opportunity for Walter to break out and establish himself as a consistent contributor for the Raptors moving forward. Just as importantly, I’d like to see him maintain that level of play if he returns to a bench role once Leonard is healthy. Developing that consistency would make him an even more valuable piece of Toronto’s rotation.
In my opinion, Walter is the Raptors’ best option to step into a larger role during Leonard’s absence. I’m excited to see what he can do with the opportunity, and this stretch could be an important step in his development as a young player in Toronto.
