Kawhi Leonard Agrees to $115 Million Contract Extension With Toronto Raptors
- Toronto Raptors All-NBA star Kawhi Leonard has agreed to a two-year, $115 million contract extension with the franchise, securing his long-term future in Canada through the 2028-29 season,...
- According to reporting from The Athletic, Leonard accepted roughly $11 million less than the maximum amount he was eligible to receive.
- Leonard's extension follows a blockbuster transaction that brought him back to the Raptors.
Toronto Raptors All-NBA star Kawhi Leonard has agreed to a two-year, $115 million contract extension with the franchise, securing his long-term future in Canada through the 2028-29 season, according to ESPN.
Contract Terms and Salary Cap Flexibility
According to reporting from The Athletic, Leonard accepted roughly $11 million less than the maximum amount he was eligible to receive. Furthermore, ESPN reported that the forward waived a $7.45 million trade kicker to provide the Raptors with valuable flexibility on their rising salary books. Before signing the extension, Leonard was playing out the final year of a three-year, $149.5 million deal he originally signed with the Los Angeles Clippers in January 2024. Agent Harrison Gaines of SLASH Sports confirmed to ESPN that both sides maintained consistent dialogue throughout the summer regarding Leonard’s desire to finish his career in Toronto.
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The Road Back to Toronto
Leonard’s extension follows a blockbuster transaction that brought him back to the Raptors. ESPN reported that Toronto acquired Leonard from the Clippers in exchange for forward Brandon Ingram, guard Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round draft picks in 2031 and 2033, a 2027 first-round pick swap, and two second-round draft picks. The trade and subsequent agreement faced a temporary pause earlier in the summer. According to league reports, the transaction was held up while the NBA completed an investigation into reported salary-cap circumvention involving the Clippers. The inquiry ultimately resulted in heavy league sanctions for Los Angeles and a fine for Leonard before the league officially cleared the trade and extension.
Leonard’s Career Resume
At 35 years old, Leonard remains a dominant two-way player in modern basketball history. He is a two-time NBA Champion and two-time NBA Finals MVP, having won titles and Finals MVP honors with both the San Antonio Spurs in 2014 and the Toronto Raptors in 2019, where he averaged 28.5 points per game during the championship run. Widely known as “The Klaw” due to his defensive prowess and large hands, Leonard earned consecutive NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards in 2015 and 2016. His extensive list of accolades includes seven NBA All-Star selections, seven All-NBA team honors, seven NBA All-Defensive Team selections, the 2020 All-Star Game MVP award, an NBA steals title in 2015, and a selection to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021.