Two-time NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard signed a three-year, $153 million contract extension to remain with the LA Clippers. The Clippers announced the deal Wednesday, but withheld terms of the agreement.
Lawrence Frank, the Clippers’ president of basketball operations, said in a statement: “We’re thrilled to continue our relationship with Kawhi. He is an elite player, a terrific partner and a relentless worker who knows how to win and makes it his first priority. He elevated our franchise from the moment he arrived. We feel fortunate that Kawhi chose to join the Clippers five years ago, and excited to keep building with him.”
Sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski that the deal will pay Leonard $52 million in the first year and approximately $50 million per season over the next two years, and does not include a player option.
Leonard, 32, is in the midst of a one of his most productive seasons as a Clipper; he is averaging 23.8 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, shooting 51.6% from the field along with 43% from behind the arc in 32 games this season. The four games Leonard missed to a bruised left hip around Christmas were his first absences of the season (he has not played more than 60 games in a season since 2016-17, his penultimate year with the San Antonio Spurs). The Clippers have won 20 of their past 26 games.
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