The Toronto Raptors signed Kawhi Leonard to a two-year, $115-million contract extension after recently finalizing his trade from the Los Angeles Clippers, his agent, Harrison Gaines, told ESPN's Shams Charania.
The agreement includes a player option for the 2028-29 campaign, Charania adds.
Leonard was entering the final season of a three-year, $149.5-million contract. He was eligible for up to $126 million on the new deal but reportedly took $11 million less to give the Raptors financial flexibility, per Charania. Leonard also waived his $7.5-million trade kicker in Toronto's swap with L.A.
The two-time Finals MVP reportedly hired Gaines to negotiate his new deal with the Raptors. Gaines had been Leonard's business attorney for the past year. Leonard was previously represented by agent Mitch Frankel and his uncle and business adviser, Dennis Robertson. However, following an investigation into the Clippers' cap circumvention, the NBA banned Robertson for five years from conducting business with the league after determining he made improper off-court requests that the Clippers failed to report.
Leonard led Toronto to its first and only championship in 2019, helping the franchise defeat the Golden State Warriors in six games and winning Finals MVP. He averaged 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.9 steals in 65 starts for L.A. last season while shooting 50.5% from the field and 38.7% from deep.
