SAN ANTONIO,TX - APRIL 17 : Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs reacts after a basket against the Memphis Grizzlies in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2017 NBA Playoffs at AT&T Center on April 17, 2017 in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that , by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.

Kawhi releases first statement since trade, thanks Spurs fans, organization

8 years ago

Ronald Cortes / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Kawhi Leonard has finally broken his silence, releasing his first statement since being dealt by the San Antonio Spurs to the Toronto Raptors.

Kawhi Leonard releases first statements since trade to Toronto, saying goodbye to San Antonio and the Spurs: pic.twitter.com/XxSUEwbrQ6
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 9, 2018

The stoic two-time Defensive Player of the Year thanked his former Spurs teammates, head coach Gregg Popovich, and the city of San Antonio.

Leonard added he's looking forward to the next chapter of his career, almost two weeks after newly appointed Raptors head coach Nick Nurse had a very optimistic meeting with the 2014 NBA Finals MVP.

The Spurs' relationship with Leonard continually soured throughout the course of last season, with the superstar saying very little in the process. He played just nine games in 2017-18 due to a nagging quad injury which he accused the organization of misdiagnosing.

Leonard made it clear he was only interested in playing in Los Angeles before the Spurs dealt him north of the border in exchange for four-time All-Star DeMar DeRozan.