Toronto Raptors fans have reason to be a little uneasy about the season’s start. The roster has talent, and there have been some encouraging moments, but the early results haven’t settled anyone’s nerves. One question continues to hang over the organization: What can Toronto realistically expect from Kawhi Leonard?

Leonard arrived at Media Day sounding upbeat about his physical condition and his readiness for the season. That was encouraging. But when he missed the Raptors’ first practice in Quebec City the following day, the optimism quickly ran into a familiar problem.

For Raptors fans, availability matters almost as much as ability. Nobody needs a reminder of what Leonard can do when he’s healthy. The difficulty has been getting enough time on the floor to build around that talent.

Leonard Still Leaves Toronto Guessing

There’s something frustrating about watching a player with Leonard’s ability become such an uncertain part of a team’s plans. He can change the way a team plays, but coaches and teammates need to know when they can count on him.

Toronto doesn’t need Leonard to carry the entire operation. It does, however, need him to be available often enough to make a difference.

That’s an important distinction. Perhaps the best way forward is to lower expectations about what Leonard might do over an entire season and concentrate on what he can contribute when he’s actually playing.

It’s not ideal, but writing him off would be premature, too. The Raptors still have a chance to get meaningful basketball out of him if his health cooperates.

How Are the Raptors Doing Without Kawhi?

The Raptors have won three of their first six games, although the early schedule has offered a mixed picture. Losing badly to the strongest opponents they’ve faced reminds them there’s still work to do.

For Toronto fans, the question may not be whether this roster is ready to compete with the best just yet. It’s whether the pieces the organization has invested in can stay healthy and give the team a chance to find out. This season still has time to develop into something interesting. But Toronto needs more answers than question marks.

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