Raptors' Kawhi Leonard hints at potential retirement timeline after extension with Toronto

The Toronto Raptors are back to wanting to be serious contenders in the Eastern Conference, making it a goal to improve the roster this summer. After going through a lot of trouble, they were finally able to get their main target.

The Raptors made a trade for Kawhi Leonard , but it was put on hold due to an investigation. Finally, the trade was able to go through once the investigation concluded.

"The trade sending Kawhi Leonard from the LA Clippers to Toronto has been made official after a monthslong delay due to the NBA's investigation into the Clippers for salary cap circumvention. The teams initially agreed to the deal on June 30, but it was paused while the league investigated allegations the Clippers violated salary cap rules in signing Leonard as a free agent," ESPN's Shams Charania wrote.

Getting Leonard was a huge step in the right direction. Both sides are locked into each other so much that the two-time NBA champion was already given an extension.

" Toronto Raptors All-NBA star Kawhi Leonard has agreed on a two-year, $115 million contract extension with the franchise, plus a player option for the 2028-29 season, his agent Harrison Gaines of SLASH Sports tells ESPN," Charania posted.

Leonard is likely going to be in Toronto for the rest of his career. The NBA champion has made it known that he is with the Raptors because he believes it is the best fit for his family. While answering a question on Wednesday, he hinted at a potential retirement timeline.

"Probably being four or five years away from walking away, I just want to show people who I really am, because you get so many narratives out there. People don't know me. I'm just having fun with it," Leonard said.

With this timeline, it would mean that he has one more contract left in him, as his current one with Toronto is only three years. That could be just a rough approximation, though, as he could very well retire after his current contract is up.

The Raptors know that they only have a short amount of time with Leonard, so it will be crucial to compete now. It is sad that so many beloved stars in the NBA are getting so close to retirement.