The Toronto Raptors have rewarded newly-acquired forward Kawhi Leonard with a two-year, $115 million contract extension with a player option in the second season. Shams Charania of ESPN reported the news today.
Leonard was recently embroiled in controversy as his former team, the Los Angeles Clippers, were fined $30 million and stripped of five future first-round draft picks for their part in circumventing the league’s salary cap in order to pay Leonard. The All-Star forward received tens of millions of dollars from Clippers’ sponsors and associated companies for endorsement deals that required nothing of him. Leonard himself was fined $700,000 for the infractions.
The Clippers traded Leonard to the Raptors last week for Bradon Ingram and Grady Dick. They signed Leonard as a free agent in 2019, right after he won the NBA Championship with these same Raptors.
The extension will ensure that Leonard remains in Toronto for at least two seasons, guaranteed, with the final-year option in place, allowing for a third.
Leonard played in 65 games last season, averaging 27.9 points and 6.4 rebounds in 32.1 minutes per game, shooting 50.5% from the floor and 38.7% from the three-point arc.
