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The Toronto Raptors are looking to be competitive in the Eastern Conference this season. They made an aggressive move to acquire Kawhi Leonard from the Los Angeles Clippers in a trade.
After an investigation, the trade was made official last week.
“The trade sending Kawhi Leonard from the LA Clippers to Toronto has been made official after a monthslong delay due to the NBA's investigation into the Clippers for salary cap circumvention. The teams initially agreed to the deal on June 30, but it was paused while the league investigated allegations the Clippers violated salary cap rules in signing Leonard as a free agent," ESPN's Shams Charania wrote.
It is clear that Leonard wanted to return to Toronto, which is where he won his second NBA championship. The two-time NBA champion could have received a contract extension worth $126 million.
“The Toronto Raptors and Kawhi Leonard have held advanced discussions and are nearing an agreement on a contract extension, according to league sources. Leonard is eligible to sign for upwards of two years, $126 million," Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer posted.
The Raptors organization values Leonard at a high level, and he clearly values the organization as well. On Tuesday, the two sides were able to work out a contract extension worth $115 million.
“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,” Charania posted.
This is huge news for Toronto, as the Raptors now have a future with Leonard and can build around him on a win-now timeline. The Raptors are going to be a playoff-contending team this season, and perhaps one more move could get them into title contention.
Leonard got his money while staying where it feels like home to him and his family. The Raptors are going to take care of Leonard for as long as he wants to be there, which seems to be the rest of his career.
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