Kawhi Leonard signed a three-year, $153 million contract extension to remain with the LA Clippers, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Clippers announced the deal Wednesday but did not disclose terms.
Sources told Wojnarowski that the deal will pay Leonard $52 million in the first year and approximately $50 million per season over the next two years. The extension does not include a player option, according to Wojnarowski, but does include a 15 percent trade kicker.
“It just made sense from both sides,” Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said before Wednesday’s game against the Raptors. “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 put the focus on the team and at the same time it just came together where it just made sense where it was a very fair deal for both sides.
“Kawhi was a great partner. Because of this new CBA, there’s harsh penalties but team building penalties for high spending teams and Kawhi understood it.”
The Clippers also are having ongoing extension talks with Paul George and want to have both of their stars lined up on longer-term contracts, sources told Wojnarowski.
Leonard had until June 30 to sign an extension with a $48.7 million player option for next season. George also has a $48.7 million player option for next season.
Both Clippers stars entered the season eligible for a maximum extension of four years and $223 million, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
Lawrence said the team is in constant communication with George’s representation.
