Raptors officially sign $115M two-time NBA champion, 9-time All-Star to pair with Scottie Barnes image
The Toronto Raptors made a power play this summer by acquiring Kawhi Leonard in a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers. The only issue was that the NBA launched an investigation into the Clippers and Leonard over allegations that he received improper benefits.
Finally, after about a month of the trade being put on hold, it went through. Leonard has been very vocal about Toronto being like home to him and his family.
“I'm not really championship chasing. … I didn't want to put on a thousand jerseys," Leonard said. "This city took a liking to my family, and I took a liking to this city. I really liked it. My son was born here, and he's been asking me forever when he's going to come back. Now he's back, and he's able to see it rather than me tell him the great stories that happened."
On Tuesday, reports came out that Leonard and the Raptors had come to terms on a contract extension.
“Toronto Raptors All-NBA star Kawhi Leonard has agreed on a two-year, $115 million contract extension with the franchise, plus a player option for the 2028-29 season, his agent Harrison Gaines of SLASH Sports tells ESPN,” ESPN’s Shams Charania posted.
It didn’t take long for Toronto to make the deal official. On Wednesday, the organization announced Leonard’s extension.
“The Toronto Raptors announced Wednesday they have signed forward Kawhi Leonard to a multi-year contract extension. Per team policy, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Leonard, 6-foot-6, 225 pounds, averaged a career-high 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 32.1 minutes in 65 games last season with the Los Angeles Clippers, marking his seventh consecutive season averaging at least 20.0 points,” the organization wrote.
The two sides are officially locked in for the next couple of seasons, with hopes that they can make deep playoff runs. Leonard seems happy to be back in Toronto, and he has made it clear that he is not chasing championships.
The nine-time All-Star is nearing the end of his career, so championships aren’t as high on his mind. For Leonard, it was about finding the right fit for his family, and he believes he did just that.
More NBA news: