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May 3, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; LA Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) warms up before the game against the Denver Nuggets during game seven of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

When Does Kawhi Leonard Hit NBA Free Agency?

Originally posted on Fastbreak on SI | By Justin Grasso | Last updated Sep 17, 2025 10:33 AM ET

The Los Angeles Clippers are under fire, and Kawhi Leonard is at the center of it all.

With the team getting investigated over potential salary cap circumvention, the Leonard era has taken a strange turn out in Los Angeles.

At this point, there is reportedly a growing belief that the Clippers are beginning to prepare for life without Leonard.

ESPN’s Baxter Holmes recently dug deep into the Leonard saga, which is still playing out. While speaking with multiple general managers and NBA executives, the consensus is that Leonard is going to play out his contract with the Clippers, but everybody involved knows that the Clippers aren’t building around the forward anymore.

via ESPN: One former staffer said, the organization's focus has shifted. "They're done building around [Kawhi]," he said. "They know that and he knows that."

When Does Kawhi Leonard Hit Free Agency?

Currently, Leonard is in the midst of a three-year contract. He signed for a guarantee of $149.5 million. The three-year deal kicked off during the 2024-2025 NBA season. Leonard made a reported $49.2 million for the season.

During the 2025-2026 season, Leonard is set to make $50 million. Typically, a player in his position would land a player option for the final season, but Leonard is locked in with a $50.3 million guarantee.

Unless the Clippers trade or buyout Leonard, he won’t become an unrestricted free agent until the summer of 2028. By then, Leonard will be 36.

What Are the Chances of a Trade Before Free Agency?

It’s hard to imagine there is another team out there that wants to bring Leonard into their operation.

Although the Clippers haven’t been punished with any wrongdoing at this time, the investigation is still ongoing. It could serve as a distraction, and the noise would follow Leonard wherever he goes.

The Clippers took a major gamble on Leonard when they re-signed him with a new deal. A lot of teams would’ve avoided paying an aging veteran with injury concerns as much as LA did. Many teams would certainly avoid giving up assets for him as well.

What Are the Chances of a Buyout?

At this point, the Clippers put so much time and money into Leonard, it’s in their best interest to keep him on board to see if they can come out on top.

While Leonard’s health has caused many absences since he joined the Clippers in 2019, he continues to be a dominant presence when he’s on the court. Leonard played in over 50 games in all but one of the five years he played for LA. When he won a title with Toronto, Leonard played just 60 games during the regular season.

It seems the best bet for Leonard and the Clippers is to give it another two seasons to see if they can seal the deal with a title. Last year, Leonard appeared in seven playoff games, averaging 25 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 4.7 assists. The Clippers came up short against the Denver Nuggets.