It may have looked dicey at points this season, whether as the Board Man faced the potential of suspension or as it seemed the LAC-TOR trade could truly be on the rocks, but the Kawhi Leonard Raptors era is upon us (again!). And for that matter, it’s off to a red-hot start. The Klaw looked like the exactly the iso scorer that the North needed, and his defensive capabilities create a strength-on-strength synergy that could make them an Eastern Conference dark horse.

Surely that’s very welcome news for residents of the Ontario capital, but it’s also great for those in Boston, helping to buoy the New Balance KAWHI 5 as it continues its journey. First revealed at the 2026 All-Star Game before finally touching shelves in October, the new color options have come fast and furious in the time since it embarked. This “Slate Grey” pair aligns with both the brand’s classic coloring and the all-business persona that Leonard has himself cultivated and NB has built plenty of marketing campaigns around.…