While Kawhi Leonard didn’t play in the first game of the preseason, his return to Toronto has sparked serious feelings of nostalgia, memories of simpler times from seven years ago. This, of course, may make you wonder… if the Raptors could get their Finals MVP back on their squad, could you, or SHOULD you, get back with your ex?
We’ve outlined four steps you should take before jumping back into things with an old flame. Of course, taking romance advice from sportswriters is sensible. Nobody has more
passion, or have had their hearts broken more.
1. Check if the production is still there
Kawhi is coming off one of his best seasons of late in the 2025-26 campaign. When the Raptors inked that extension for Leonard, they knew they were getting a version of him who could still put up huge numbers and anchor an offence in a meaningful way.
In the same sense, you should have an idea of what your ex is up to these days, and whether or not they’re still up to scratch before you decide to offer them a two-year dating contract with a marriage option.
You can do this a few ways. Their Twitter might tell you whether or not they can still tell jokes that you find funny. Their Facebook shows whether or not they’ve maintained a good relationship with their parents. Their LinkedIn is helpful to see if their career growth hasn’t stagnated. Having a good scouting department is important for any successful franchise, and when looking to resign an old franchise player, you can never be too sure.
2. Learn if they’ll mesh well with the team
Leonard has been wholeheartedly embraced by the Raptors thus far. Scottie seems to have no issues sharing the floor with Kawhi, saying that “it’s gonna be our team. Just got to do things the right way, which we are. We’re gonna set the tone, and everybody else is gonna follow.”
Hopefully, your friends will have a similar mentality. When it comes to getting back with an ex, there might be some bad blood between those that were there for you during the breakup. It’s only natural to not want to see your friend get hurt again. That’s why you need to set the stage before announcing something drastic. Remind people about the good times you had, how great your ex could be to hang out with, that time they drove everybody home from the airport, etcetera etcetera.
Hopefully, your ex wasn’t a drain on the locker room when you guys were together, because if so, your current squad might not be so interested in having a reunion. But, if you play your cards right, you could get the team on your side when approaching your ex for a second stint together.
3. Know if you can make the money work
Kawhi Leonard left more than $18 million on the table when signing an extension with the franchise. If that isn’t a sign of true love, then I don’t know what is.
When first making contact with your ex, think back to the old days. Were they picking up the cheque at dinner? Remembering your anniversary and getting you nice presents? Is that still the same? Have things changed? Ask anyone two years ago, and Kawhi taking less money than he could have gotten would have been ludicrous to imagine.
“My son was born here, now he’s back home, and he seems happier,” said Leonard at media day. And indeed, maybe being home and being happy is all that matters at the end of the day, not the glitz and glamour of nights out on the town. But either way, make sure you’ve got it together financially before taking the plunge.
4. Figure out if there’s still the love of the game
This is the big one. If neither you, nor them, is truly excited about giving things another go, why put yourselves through all that heartache?
When Kawhi Leonard left in 2019, the hopes and dreams of a dynasty collapsed wholeheartedly. And, seven years later, the city of Toronto has opened itself back up to Leonard. Can you do the same? Forget any hurt and betrayal in the past so that you two can build a future together?
Leonard could have gone anywhere in the league, and your ex could date anyone in the city. But, if they’re choosing you, maybe there’s something special there, something worth fighting for, a legacy worth giving one last Hail Mary of a try to.
So. Perhaps this is a sign. If you feel aligned with all four of these points, maybe you should ask them out for coffee and see if you can’t try again. Who’s to say if it’ll work for the Raptors? Only one team a year becomes an NBA champion. But people fall back in love every day.
