Clippers star Kawhi Leonard has been extension-eligible for a few months, but a new deal has yet to come together.
When Andrew Greif of The Los Angeles Times asked Leonard about the topic, he said he has a “good” relationship with the team’s front office and expressed confidence that an extension will eventually be reached, though it certainly doesn’t sound imminent (Twitter link).
“For sure,” Leonard said. “It hasn’t even been nothing that we’ve been rushing on their side, or my side. So, we’re good.”
Leonard, 32, can become a free agent next summer if he declines his $48.8MM player option for 2024/25. He will earn $45.6MM this season.
If Leonard signs an extension during the ’23/24 season, he would have to decline his ’24/25 player option as part of the agreement. He could make more money if he goes that route, assuming he’s offered another max deal.
A five-time All-NBA member, two-time Finals MVP and two-time Defensive Player of the Year, Leonard has been excellent for the Clippers when healthy, averaging a combined 25.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists and 1.6 steals on .496/.396/.881 shooting in 33.3 minutes per game. During the playoffs, he has been even better, averaging 29.6 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 5.1 APG and 2.2 SPG on .528/.375/.871 shooting in 26 games (39.3 MPG).
The problem, of course, is that Leonard has been injured for much of his tenure with Los Angeles. He has appeared in just 161 of a possible 308 regular season games in four years with the Clippers, having missed the entire ’21/22 season with a partially torn right ACL.
Leonard sustained a torn meniscus in the same knee during last season’s playoffs, which required another surgery, but is “fully healthy” entering ’23/24.
Fellow star wing Paul George also holds a ’24/25 player option and is extension-eligible. He recently confirmed he has discussed a new deal with the Clippers but said there was work to be done to reach an agreement.
If the dippers extend him I do not want to hear any more kawhi slander. Now I see why James wants to go there so bad. The owner is willing to give away money.
But why extend him? The guy has barely played? And this is why the NBA is so frustrating and to follow.
Extend for how long and how much? When he’s in the lineup he plays at an all-NBA level. But that’s 230 games in the last 6 years. Under 40 games a year average.
If I remember correctly, his last contract actually included “load management” language. And that was before the latest string of injuries and rehab. I can only imagine how he’ll want this one worded.
Even with the new nba anti-load management/rest rule, I’m sure he can squeak out a living on the prorated $55 mil/year the deal will probably come in at.
He should be signed yr to yr.
Owners take out insurance on contracts. Not losing as much as you think. Losing gms !!
that’s for sure.
Damaged goods aren’t worth max, no matter how good they are. He isn’t going to win again anywhere with his health.