Kawhi Leonard signed a three-year, $153 million contract extension to remain with the LA Clippers, sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Clippers announced the deal on Wednesday but did not disclose terms.
Sources told Wojnarowski the deal would pay Leonard $52 million in the first year and about $50 million per season over the next two years. According to Wojnarowski, the extension does not include a player option, but does include a 15 percent trade kicker.
“It made sense on both sides,” Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said before Wednesday’s game against the Raptors. “We both wanted the same thing. We wanted Kawhi to be a Clipper for a very long time and Kawhi wanted to be a Clipper for a very long time and we wanted to focus on the team and that’s when it came together where It made perfect sense, where it was a very fair deal for both parties.
“Kawhi was a great partner. Because of this new CBA, there are harsher penalties but there are penalties on team building for teams that spend more and Kawhi understood that.”
Leonard is in the midst of one of his healthiest and productive seasons as a Clipper, and the extension ensures that the Clippers will have their franchise star as they move into their new Intuit Dome next season.
The Clippers are also in talks with Paul George for an extension and want to get both of their stars on long-term contracts, sources told Wojnarowski.
Leonard had until June 30 to sign an extension with a $48.7 million player option for next season. George also has a $48.7 million player option for next season.
According to ESPN’s Bobby Marks, both Clippers stars entered the season eligible for maximum extensions of four years and $223 million.
Lawrence said the team is in constant contact with George’s representation.
“Paul and Kawhi, both of those guys have the same goals,” Frank said. “They want to win. And to win, you have to be able to have the flexibility to have really good teammates. And to do that, some sacrifices need to be made… We want everyone to be compensated fairly and “Yet still maintains the flexibility in both the short and long term to keep a competitive roster.”
Leonard is averaging 23.8 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, shooting 51.6% from the field and 43% from behind the arc in 32 games this season. Since a 3-7 start shortly after trading for James Harden, the Clippers have won 20 of their last 26 games.
A healthy Leonard has been a big part of that success. Leonard began the season by playing in 27 consecutive games, his most consecutive games in a season since 2016–17.
George is also enjoying a healthy start to the season, averaging 23.2 points and 5.6 rebounds while shooting 46.0% from the field and 40.9% from 3-point range in 34 games.
“We are thrilled to continue our relationship with Kawhi,” Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said in a statement. “He is an elite player, a tremendous teammate and a tireless worker who knows how to win and makes it his first priority. He elevated our franchise as soon as he arrived. We feel fortunate that Kawhi joined the Clippers five years ago.” “, and am excited to continue building with them.”
