LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Clippers have compiled one of their best rosters ever, kawhi leonard Wanted to ensure his focus was on his pursuit of the first NBA Finals appearance in franchise history rather than his future.
So Leonard signed a three-year contract extension worth $152.3 million on Wednesday.
A person familiar with the agreement confirmed the value of the deal to The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because financial terms were not released.
“It was time to do it. “I’m happy,” Leonard said after scoring 29 points Clippers win 126-120 over Toronto Raptors, “That’s all I’m focused on right now. I’m trying to take us places we haven’t gone before this season.
The two-time NBA Finals MVP is averaging 24.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists in his 12th NBA season. The 32-year-old forward is in good health and has played 33 out of 37 games so far. He recently returned after missing four games due to a hip injury.
Lawrence Frank, the team’s president of basketball operations, said he never had any doubt in his mind that the expansion would be done.
“It made sense on both sides. We both wanted the same thing,” Frank said. “We’ve wanted Kawhi to be a Clipper for a long time and Kawhi has wanted to be a Clipper for a long time.”
Leonard signed with the Clippers during the 2019 offseason after leading the Raptors to the NBA title. He was in the third year of a four-year deal signed in 2021, which required him to earn a base salary of $45,640,084 this season. He had a player option for the next season at $48,787,676.
“When you can ask a top level player to sign back, it says a lot about your organization and all the work you have done to get to this position. It’s a great day for the organization, coach Tyronn Lue said.
Leonard is a five-time All-Star and two-time Defensive Player of the Year. He also won an NBA title with San Antonio in 2014.
The Clippers are in fourth place in the West with a 24–13 record. Their 16-3 record since Dec. 1 is the best in the league as the core unit of Leonard, Paul George and Russell Westbrook has adjusted to the addition of James Harden, who was acquired in a Nov. 1 trade with Philadelphia .
George, who joined Leonard in 2019, and Harden are also eligible for extensions. Frank said that talks with George are still ongoing, but discussions with Harden cannot begin until after the NBA Finals.
Lue said Harden’s addition means Leonard and George have run fewer pick-and-roll plays, which has helped reduce the amount of wear and tear on their bodies.
“I think James has made it easier for Kawhi and Paul to play more catch-and-shoot 3-pointers and closeouts. It’s been really good for us,” Lue said.
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AP Sports Writer Beth Harris in Los Angeles contributed to this story.
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