TORONTO, Sept. 24 -- The number is $18.5 million. That is roughly what Kawhi Leonard left on the table Tuesday when he agreed to a two-year, $115 million extension with the Toronto Raptors - $11 million below his eligible maximum, on top of the $7.5 million trade kicker he had already waived to make his own acquisition possible. He did not have to do either. He did it anyway.

That figure is the most legible signal available of what returning to Toronto means to Leonard. Seven years ago, he won an NBA championship with the Raptors, then left for Los Angeles without a press conference or an explanation. He played seven seasons with the Clippers, watched his body fail him repeatedly in ways that became chronic and documented, and won nothin...