Leonard-Raptors, extension takes Kawhi past $540 million
Kawhi’s return to Toronto becomes a long-term project: a $115 million extension and more than $540 million earned over the course of his career
Just days after the completion of the trade with the Clippers, Kawhi Leonard has already reached an agreement with the Raptors to extend his contract.
The former Clippers star signed a two-year, $115 million extension, with a player option for the 2028-29 season. Including the final year of his previous deal, Kawhi will therefore have $165 million guaranteed over the next three seasons.
The signing primarily reflects the intentions of the 35-year-old: according to ESPN, Leonard expects to finish his career in Toronto, the city where he experienced one of the most important moments of his career in 2019.
And there is already plenty of excitement in Toronto. RJ Barrett, a lifelong Raptors fan, did not hide what it means to him to suddenly be teammates with one of the key figures from the 2019 championship team.
I’ve been a Raptors fan my whole life. I was getting ready for the NBA Draft when Toronto won the championship. When he hit that shot in Game 7 against Philadelphia, I was jumping around like crazy
RJ Barrett
With the new deal, Leonard is also set to surpass $540 million in career NBA contract earnings. But this time, at least according to his intentions, he may have already signed the final major contract of his career.