Kawhi Leonard commits to Toronto again with two-year, US$115 million extension

Kawhi Leonard has agreed a new contract with the Toronto Raptors, seven years after he led them to their only NBA championship. The 35-year-old forward has agreed a two-year extension worth up to US$115 million, the Associated Press and ESPN reported on Wednesday US time. That was Thursday in Malaysia.

The deal was agreed just before training camps open, and it brings to an end one of the strangest stories of the NBA off-season.

The contract

According to TSN, the extension includes a player option for the 2028-29 season, which is its second year. With the final year of his current contract, which pays him just over US$50 million, Leonard is now signed for three seasons for a total of about US$165 million.

TSN also reported that Leonard accepted US$11 million less than the maximum extension he could have received. He also gave up a US$7.45 million trade kicker to help the deal happen. His agent, Harrison Gaines, confirmed the agreement to ESPN's Shams Charania. Both sides had wanted to finish negotiations before training camp.

How he got back to Toronto

The trade that sent Leonard from the Los Angeles Clippers to Toronto was agreed in late June. According to the AP, it was not completed until earlier this month because the NBA was investigating the Clippers' salary cap practices involving Leonard.

That investigation ended with some of the heaviest penalties in league history. The NBA found that the Clippers had got around salary cap rules through Leonard's benefits package. Owner Steve Ballmer was suspended for one year, the team was fined US$30 million and it lost five future first-round draft picks. Leonard himself was fined US$700,000 but was not suspended.

TSN reported that Toronto sent Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, two first-round picks (2031 and 2033), two second-round picks and a 2027 pick swap to Los Angeles to bring Leonard back.

The Clippers have since named lawyer John S. Gibson as interim CEO and governor while Ballmer is suspended, according to NBA.com. General manager Trent Redden is running basketball operations.

Still producing at 35

Age has not slowed Leonard down so far. He averaged 27.9 points and 6.4 rebounds in 65 games for the Clippers last season. The AP says that was the highest scoring average of his career, and it earned him a seventh All-Star selection.

Toronto fans have mixed memories of Leonard. He spent one season there and it ended with the 2019 championship, the franchise's first, and his second NBA Finals MVP award. He then left for Los Angeles as a free agent that summer. Toronto now hope he can lead another push for the title.

Why it matters

This deal gives Toronto clarity on the eve of a new season. The Raptors gave up a lot to get Leonard, including young guard Gradey Dick and several future draft picks. The extension means he is not just a one-year rental. For Leonard, it means a guaranteed large salary into his late thirties, with the option to become a free agent again in 2028.

Key takeaways

• Kawhi Leonard has agreed a two-year, US$115 million extension with the Toronto Raptors, with a player option for 2028-29.
• He reportedly took less than the maximum and gave up a US$7.45 million trade kicker.
• Toronto sent Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and several draft picks to the Clippers for him.
• The Clippers were fined US$30 million and lost five first-round picks, and owner Steve Ballmer was suspended for a year.
• Leonard averaged a career-high 27.9 points per game last season.

FAQ

How long is Kawhi Leonard now signed with Toronto? He is signed for this season plus the two-year extension, about US$165 million over three seasons. The final year is a player option.

Why was Steve Ballmer suspended? The NBA found the Clippers had got around salary cap rules through Leonard's benefits package. Ballmer was suspended for one year.

Has Leonard played for Toronto before? Yes. He led the Raptors to the 2019 NBA title and was named Finals MVP.

Sources: TSN, Associated Press (via NBC), ESPN, CBS Sports, NBA.com