NBA: 5 Biggest X-Factors entering the 2018-19 season

TORONTO, ON – OCTOBER 5: Kawhi Leonard #2 and Danny Green #14 of the Toronto Raptors looks on from the bench during the second half of an NBA preseason game against Melbourne United at Scotiabank Arena on October 5, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. 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. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)

Clawing for the East top seat

After only playing nine games last season due to injury the two-time Former Defensive Player of the Year Kawhi Leonard appears healthy and ready for a huge season. One of the biggest stories of the 2017-18 season was the back and forth dispute between Leonard and the San Antonio Spurs organization over the health of Kawhi.

In the conclusion of the public disconnect between the Leonard and the Spurs, Leonard was traded to the Toronto Raptors.

Leonard now gets the opportunity to prove he not only one of the best defensive players in the entire NBA but that he’s not offensively just a product of the great Gregg Popovich led San Antonio Spurs system. Kawhi will be aiming this season to reclaim his title as the NBA’s “best two-way” Player.

One of the biggest factors on how this NBA’s season outcome is how Kawhi Leonard fortunes play out north of the border.