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Jalen Rose: Raptors should retire Kawhi's jersey in 1st game back

Vaughn Ridley / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Former Toronto Raptors guard Jalen Rose thinks Kawhi Leonard should be the first player to have his jersey retired by the team.

Rose, who spent parts of three seasons with the Raptors in the mid-2000s, said the team should raise Leonard's jersey to the rafters during his first game back in Toronto as a member of the Los Angeles Clippers.

"The boss move? Retire his number that day," Rose said on ESPN's "Jalen & Jacoby" podcast.

Rose went on to explain that while players such as Vince Carter, DeMar DeRozan, and Chris Bosh are regarded as the greatest Raptors of all time, none of them accomplished what Leonard did while in Toronto.

"You're gonna celebrate those guys as the greatest Raptors of all time - Vince, DeMar, and Bosh - because of their longevity and their productivity, but Kawhi did something uniquely special," he said. "You give him a standing ovation and you retire his number when he returns."

Leonard will make his return to Toronto on Dec. 11.

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