Toronto Raptors star Kawhi Leonard is expected to sign a contract extension with the franchise following his trade from the Los Angeles Clippers, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
"Safe bet: The wait for Leonard's expected two-year extension with the Raptors will be a lot shorter than what Toronto and its fans just endured to bring the 2019 NBA Finals MVP back to Canada," Stein reported.
According to ESPN's Bobby Marks, Leonard is eligible to sign a two-year, $126 million extension with Toronto. He is entering the final season of his current contract and is set to earn approximately $50.3 million.
The Raptors and Clippers officially completed their trade on Monday, more than two months after initially agreeing to the deal on June 30. Leonard now returns to the franchise he led to its only NBA championship in 2019.
The 35-year-old averaged a career-high 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in 65 games for the Clippers last season.
In exchange, Toronto sent Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, a 2027 first-round pick swap, and second-round picks in 2030 and 2033 to Los Angeles.
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Trade was delayed by LA Clippers investigation
The deal was put on hold in July because of the NBA's investigation into whether the Clippers circumvented salary-cap rules involving Leonard.
The NBA later fined the Clippers $30 million, stripped the franchise of five future first-round picks, and suspended owner Steve Ballmer for one year.
Leonard, meanwhile, was fined $700,000.
Kawhi previously spent only one season with Toronto, averaging 26.6 points during the 2018-19 regular season before leading the Raptors past the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals and winning his second Finals MVP award.