Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard Accepts Smaller Extension, Wants Team To Retain James Harden & Paul George

Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers agreed to a three-year, $152 million extension this week, which will keep the star forward on the West Coast until 2026.

The extension is actually a pay cut for Leonard, who could have requested a deal for more money over four years. He told reporters after the Clipper’s 126-120 win over the Raptors that he was taking less money so that the team could retain fellow stars James Harden and Paul George as well.

“With the conversation that I have with them about it, I think for the most part everybody is coming back,” Leonard said. “So with me signing an extension, I think it gives us a chance to sign both of those players.”

George confirmed after the game that the deal will incentivize him to stay with the team when his own extension negotiations begin.

“I mean, absolutely,” George said. “You secure and lock in Kawhi. Definitely leaves the door open for myself, but very, very optimistic something will get done on my behalf, as well.”

The Clippers struggled early on in the 2023-24 season after acquiring Harden from the 76ers on November 1. The team bounced back well, however, and are currently fourth in the Western Conference with a 24-13 record.

All three of the team’s stars are well past the age of 30, which is advantageous now but could become a detriment in later seasons. Leonard reportedly cited this as another reason to accept a shorter deal, as he plans to reevaluate at age 35 whether he is able to continue in the NBA.

With Leonard under contract for another three years, Harden will likely be the next to begin extension talks with Los Angeles. The former MVP is in the final year of the two-year, $68 million deal he signed with Philadelphia, leaving it to Los Angeles to create a new contract to keep him long-term. George has a player option worth $48 million that he can exercise to stay with the team through the 2024-25 season.

Article by Patrick Moquin