Kawhi Leonard hopes the deal helps the Clippers keep George and Harden
LOS ANGELES — Kawhi Leonard said he hoped to get less than he was entitled to if his contract was extended LA Clippers Will keep Paul George And James Harden also with the team.
The Clippers announced Leonard's deal on Wednesday but did not disclose terms. He signed a three-year contract extension worth $153 million, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
“From the conversation I have with them about it, I think overall everyone is coming back,” Leonard said after the Clippers beat the team Toronto Raptors 126-120 on Wednesday night. “So if I sign a contract extension, I think it gives us the chance to sign both players.”
According to ESPN's Bobby Marks, Leonard and George were eligible for a maximum extension of four years and $223 million.
Sources told Wojnarowski that Leonard's contract extension will pay the forward $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% trade kicker.
Asked about his consideration of taking a shorter extension than he was entitled to, Leonard said: “I think I'll be 35 at that point.”
“You’ll see how I play at this age,” said the 32-year-old Leonard. “I guess that’s the number.”
The Clippers have also had extension discussions with George and would like to sign both stars to longer-term contracts, sources told Wojnarowski.
Leonard had until June 30 to sign a contract extension with a $48.7 million player option for next season. George, who also has a $48.7 million player option, said he was excited for Leonard and wanted to remain a Clipper.
“I mean, absolutely,” George said when asked if Leonard’s extension was a stepping stone to his stay. “You secure Kawhi and lock it up. Definitely leaves the door open for me, but I’m very, very optimistic that something will be done for me too.”
When asked how close he and the Clippers are to being on the same page about an extension, George replied, “We're working on it.”
The 34-year-old Harden is under contract and cannot sign a new contract until after the NBA Finals. Both the Clippers and Harden are very pleased with how everything has gone since the team acquired the point guard on October 30th.
After a six-game losing streak shortly after the trade, the Clippers have broken through and made a breakthrough. They have now won 21 of their last 27 games with Leonard in the midst of one of his healthiest and most productive seasons as a Clipper.
Leonard began this season having played 27 straight games, his most consecutive games in a season since 2016-17. The two-time Finals MVP is averaging 24 points and six rebounds in 33 games while shooting 51.8% from the field, including 43.2% from behind the arc.
George, 33, is also off to a good start, averaging 23.4 points and 5.6 rebounds in 35 games, shooting 46.3% from the field and 41.4% from 3-point range. Range.
The Leonard extension ensures the Clippers have their franchise star when they move to their new Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California next season.
“It just made sense for both parties,” said Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank. “We both wanted the same thing. We wanted Kawhi to be a Clipper for a very long time, and Kawhi wants to be a Clipper for a very long time, and we wanted to keep the focus on the team and at the same time.” It just came together where it just made sense and it was a very fair deal for both sides.
“Kawhi was a great partner. Because of this new CBA, there are harsh penalties … for high-spending teams, and Kawhi understands that.”
Frank said the team is in constant contact with George's representation. With Leonard, George, Harden and Russell Westbrook The Clippers are all from the Los Angeles area and are hoping that the desire to stay home and try to win a championship will help keep the core together.
“I am extremely excited and happy that Kawhi has reached a deal that will hopefully make him a Clipper for the rest of his career,” George said. “We'll see my situation when we get there, but I'm just glad they did the deal on his side. I know he wants to stay here, and so do I. When my time comes, we will be ready for these discussions.” So.”
