Reporter reveals likelihood Kawhi Leonard signs extension with Clippers

Kawhi Leonard is eligible to sign a contract extension with the Los Angeles Clippers. The two-time NBA Finals MVP has a player option for the 2024-25 season worth $48.8 million, and one NBA writer recently detailed how history shows that Leonard will likely become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2024.

Law Murray, who covers the Clippers for The Athletic, wrote about how Leonard has never signed an extension in the NBA. The future Hall of Famer has played for the San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors and Clippers.

“History says Leonard is likely reaching the open market,” Murray wrote. “The San Antonio Spurs did not reach an extension with Leonard in 2014 despite Leonard being the reigning NBA Finals MVP. Leonard reached restricted free agency in 2015 and signed a five-year maximum contract from there that included a player option. Leonard opted out of that contract after winning his second NBA Finals MVP in 2019, leaving the Toronto Raptors after one season to sign a three-year deal with the Clippers.

“Leonard opted out again in 2021 to sign the current contract he is on now, a four-year deal that contains a 2024 player option.”

Leonard signed a four-year, $176.3 million contract with the Clippers in August 2021. He missed the entire 2021-22 season recovering from an ACL injury. The two-time Defensive Player of the Year appeared in 52 games last season, averaging 23.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists while shooting 51.2% from the field, 41.6% from beyond the arc and 87.1% from the free-throw line.

Los Angeles won 44 games in the regular season and lost to the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the 2023 playoffs in five games. Leonard only played in Games 1 and 2 before suffering a knee injury. He underwent surgery this offseason.

The Clippers signed Leonard in the summer of 2019 and traded for Paul George from the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, the franchise hasn’t reached the NBA Finals yet. Leonard and George have only played in 118 regular-season games together. Both stars have been prone to injuries since becoming teammates.

Leonard has played in 161 games with the Clippers. He’s averaging 25.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists.