After signing an extension with the Toronto Raptors, Kawhi Leonard appears to be on the path to finish his career as a Raptor.
Reporting on the extension, NBA insider Jake Fischer spoke on Bleacher Report about the agreement between Leonard and the Raptors.
He said that while there is a player option for the 2028-29 season in the new contract, the most likely scenario is that the option will be torn up and they will extend their partnership into the next decade.
Leonard accepted a slightly lower salary on the extension so that he could get the player option, which Fischer argues is the way to have future flexibility and extend their union even further.
Finally, Fischer shares his belief that Leonard intends to retire as a member of the Toronto Raptors.
Kawhi Leonard
Kawhi Leonard
Leonard signs new extension
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, Kawhi Leonard has agreed on a two-year, $115 million contract extension with the Raptors alongside the aforementioned 2028-29 player option.
The 35-year-old two-time NBA champion now has a total of three years and $165 million on his Raptors deal.
He arrived to Toronto via trade from the Los Angeles Clippers for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick and several picks. The move took time to finalize due to the Clippers' salary circumvention scandal involving Leonard.
The forward averaged a career-high 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game across 65 appearances last NBA season, giving Toronto a major boost in their bid for a title hunt along with current cornerstone Scottie Barnes.