Kawhi Leonard will continue donning the Los Angeles Clippers jersey for the foreseeable future. The Clippers announced on Wednesday that Leonard signed a new extension with the franchise.

The LA team didn’t disclose the financial terms of the agreement, but multiple reports indicate it is a three-year, $153 million deal. Leonard was in the final year of his old contract and had a player option for the 2024-25 season.

“We’re thrilled to continue our relationship with Kawhi,” Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said in a statement. “He is an elite player, a terrific partner, and a relentless worker who knows how to win and makes it his first priority. He elevated our franchise from the moment he arrived. We feel fortunate that Kawhi chose to join the Clippers five years ago, and excited to keep building with him.”

Leonard is enjoying a great season and is the main reason why the Clippers are sitting at No. 4 in the Western Conference with a 23-13 record. The 32-year-old player is currently averaging 23.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists while shooting 51.6% from the field. He also managed to avoid injury issues that plagued him in recent seasons, missing only four games so far in 2023-24.

The Clippers are reportedly also looking to sign their other superstar, Paul George, to a new extension. The negotiations are currently underway, and both sides are optimistic about reaching a deal. 

The post Kawhi Leonard and Clippers Agree to a 3-Year, $153 Million Extension appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The injury that forced All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard to miss the second stretch of the LA Clippers’ postseason run has been more severe than it was initially assumed. The organization released a statement on Tuesday confirming that Leonard is dealing with a partially torn ACL in his right knee.

According to the statement, the 30-year-old superstar underwent surgery to repair the ACL earlier this week and is expected to make full recovery. 

Although Leonard didn’t tear his ACL completely, he is still expected to be out for a significant period of time. The Clippers didn’t offer a timeline for his return in their statement, but the reports say that Leonard might be looking to a recovery period anywhere from eight to 12 months.

Kawhi Leonard got injured during the Western Conference semi-finals against the Utah Jazz. He went down in the fourth quarter of Game 4, and the team initially labeled the injury as a sprained knee. The Clippers went on to beat the Jazz but fell down to the Phoenix Suns in the conference finals.

Leonard enjoyed a good run in 2020-21, averaging 24.8 points in 52 games during the regular season. He also added 6.5 rebounds and career-high 5.2 assists. He was even better in the postseason, managing 30.4 points, 7.7 boards, and 4.4 assists before the injury.

Leonard has a player option with the Clippers for next season, which he was projected to decline and test the free agency. The injury might alter his plans, however, as he will most likely miss the better part of the 2021-22 NBA season.

The post Clippers Superstar Kawhi Leonard Undergoes Surgery to Repair Partially Torn ACL appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The NBA world was rocked on Sunday when the news broke that Kawhi Leonard had made up his mind. After spending one magical season with the Toronto Raptors, the superstar was set to move on.

Leonard shocked many by agreeing to sign for the Los Angeles Clippers, the cross-town rivals of the Lakers, the team that many saw as being the co-favorites for the Raptors for his services.

The Raptors thanked the Kawhi with a tweet in which they expressed gratitude for the superstar’s role in bringing the first-ever NBA title to the city of Toronto.

While Leonard’s departure to the Clippers was big enough news in and of itself, what’s even more landscape-altering is the player that’ll go along to the Clippers with him – 2019 MVP finalist Paul George.

George agreed to terms with the Los Angeles Clippers, who intend to acquire the veteran small forward in a sign-and-trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder. George was one of the top players in the league last season at the age of 28, averaging 28 points and 8.2 rebounds per game.

Leonard wanted a superstar to go with him if he was to go back home to play in LA, and he got his wish.

Now, the Clippers became one of the favorites to take home the Western Conference crown and the NBA title in what promises to be an exciting 2019-20 NBA season.

The post Clippers Stun NBA, Acquire Kawhi Leonard and Paul George appeared first on SportzBonanza.

After being traded to the Toronto Raptors on July 18, 2018, few could have imagined what Kawhi Leonard and his team would go on to have a magical 2018-19 season. Leonard became an immediate franchise legend for the Raptors, making an All-Star appearance and averaging 26.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.

The story became even more magical after Leonard put the Raptors on his back and led them to the first NBA Championship in the franchise’s history after an epic Finals series against the Golden State Warriors. Leonard was named Finals MVP after a monster performance, averaging 28.5 points and 9.8 rebounds per game in the team’s six-game triumph.

Now, the future is less clear. Leonard is now an unrestricted free agent and can theoretically sign a contract to play for any franchise he chooses for the next season and years beyond that. The soon-to-be 28-year-old has been as guarded and secretive about his future as always, but many believe that Leonard’s future is not in Toronto.

However, Kawhi Leonard’s best option for his future, without a doubt, is to stay in Toronto and go back to the city that lifted the trophy earlier this month. Why?

Well, for one, why fix what isn’t broken? Leonard won the 2019 NBA Title with the Raptors, and the Canadians will return every single member of their roster from last season with the exception of role player Danny Green. While teams like the Los Angeles Clippers and Lakers can talk about their financial flexibility to add free agents, there’s already a roster that’s proven to be capable of winning a title in Toronto.

The Los Angeles Clippers appear to be the Raptors’ primary competition for Leonard’s services, and their roster doesn’t come close to stacking up with Toronto’s.

Of course, the issue of money is also in play, but Leonard would benefit financially from staying in Toronto too. The Raptors are the only team that can offer the forward a 5-year, $190 million supermax contract. Other teams can offer Leonard 4 years and $141 million, but for a player with Leonard’s injury history, he would be wise to take the most possible years and the most money that he can.

For these reasons, plus the immense love that Toronto and the country of Canada already has for Kawhi, the Raptors are the best place where Leonard can end up signing a contract. There’s no reason to let the magic end with the 2019 NBA Title—they can accomplish much more together.

The post Kawhi Leonard’s Best Option is Staying with the Toronto Raptors appeared first on SportzBonanza.

Kawhi Leonard will continue donning the Los Angeles Clippers jersey for the foreseeable future. The Clippers announced on Wednesday that Leonard signed a new extension with the franchise.

The LA team didn’t disclose the financial terms of the agreement, but multiple reports indicate it is a three-year, $153 million deal. Leonard was in the final year of his old contract and had a player option for the 2024-25 season.

“We’re thrilled to continue our relationship with Kawhi,” Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said in a statement. “He is an elite player, a terrific partner, and a relentless worker who knows how to win and makes it his first priority. He elevated our franchise from the moment he arrived. We feel fortunate that Kawhi chose to join the Clippers five years ago, and excited to keep building with him.”

Leonard is enjoying a great season and is the main reason why the Clippers are sitting at No. 4 in the Western Conference with a 23-13 record. The 32-year-old player is currently averaging 23.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists while shooting 51.6% from the field. He also managed to avoid injury issues that plagued him in recent seasons, missing only four games so far in 2023-24.

The Clippers are reportedly also looking to sign their other superstar, Paul George, to a new extension. The negotiations are currently underway, and both sides are optimistic about reaching a deal. 

The post Kawhi Leonard and Clippers Agree to a 3-Year, $153 Million Extension appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The injury that forced All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard to miss the second stretch of the LA Clippers’ postseason run has been more severe than it was initially assumed. The organization released a statement on Tuesday confirming that Leonard is dealing with a partially torn ACL in his right knee.

According to the statement, the 30-year-old superstar underwent surgery to repair the ACL earlier this week and is expected to make full recovery. 

Although Leonard didn’t tear his ACL completely, he is still expected to be out for a significant period of time. The Clippers didn’t offer a timeline for his return in their statement, but the reports say that Leonard might be looking to a recovery period anywhere from eight to 12 months.

Kawhi Leonard got injured during the Western Conference semi-finals against the Utah Jazz. He went down in the fourth quarter of Game 4, and the team initially labeled the injury as a sprained knee. The Clippers went on to beat the Jazz but fell down to the Phoenix Suns in the conference finals.

Leonard enjoyed a good run in 2020-21, averaging 24.8 points in 52 games during the regular season. He also added 6.5 rebounds and career-high 5.2 assists. He was even better in the postseason, managing 30.4 points, 7.7 boards, and 4.4 assists before the injury.

Leonard has a player option with the Clippers for next season, which he was projected to decline and test the free agency. The injury might alter his plans, however, as he will most likely miss the better part of the 2021-22 NBA season.

The post Clippers Superstar Kawhi Leonard Undergoes Surgery to Repair Partially Torn ACL appeared first on SportzBonanza.

The NBA world was rocked on Sunday when the news broke that Kawhi Leonard had made up his mind. After spending one magical season with the Toronto Raptors, the superstar was set to move on.

Leonard shocked many by agreeing to sign for the Los Angeles Clippers, the cross-town rivals of the Lakers, the team that many saw as being the co-favorites for the Raptors for his services.

The Raptors thanked the Kawhi with a tweet in which they expressed gratitude for the superstar’s role in bringing the first-ever NBA title to the city of Toronto.

While Leonard’s departure to the Clippers was big enough news in and of itself, what’s even more landscape-altering is the player that’ll go along to the Clippers with him – 2019 MVP finalist Paul George.

George agreed to terms with the Los Angeles Clippers, who intend to acquire the veteran small forward in a sign-and-trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder. George was one of the top players in the league last season at the age of 28, averaging 28 points and 8.2 rebounds per game.

Leonard wanted a superstar to go with him if he was to go back home to play in LA, and he got his wish.

Now, the Clippers became one of the favorites to take home the Western Conference crown and the NBA title in what promises to be an exciting 2019-20 NBA season.

The post Clippers Stun NBA, Acquire Kawhi Leonard and Paul George appeared first on SportzBonanza.

After being traded to the Toronto Raptors on July 18, 2018, few could have imagined what Kawhi Leonard and his team would go on to have a magical 2018-19 season. Leonard became an immediate franchise legend for the Raptors, making an All-Star appearance and averaging 26.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.

The story became even more magical after Leonard put the Raptors on his back and led them to the first NBA Championship in the franchise’s history after an epic Finals series against the Golden State Warriors. Leonard was named Finals MVP after a monster performance, averaging 28.5 points and 9.8 rebounds per game in the team’s six-game triumph.

Now, the future is less clear. Leonard is now an unrestricted free agent and can theoretically sign a contract to play for any franchise he chooses for the next season and years beyond that. The soon-to-be 28-year-old has been as guarded and secretive about his future as always, but many believe that Leonard’s future is not in Toronto.

However, Kawhi Leonard’s best option for his future, without a doubt, is to stay in Toronto and go back to the city that lifted the trophy earlier this month. Why?

Well, for one, why fix what isn’t broken? Leonard won the 2019 NBA Title with the Raptors, and the Canadians will return every single member of their roster from last season with the exception of role player Danny Green. While teams like the Los Angeles Clippers and Lakers can talk about their financial flexibility to add free agents, there’s already a roster that’s proven to be capable of winning a title in Toronto.

The Los Angeles Clippers appear to be the Raptors’ primary competition for Leonard’s services, and their roster doesn’t come close to stacking up with Toronto’s.

Of course, the issue of money is also in play, but Leonard would benefit financially from staying in Toronto too. The Raptors are the only team that can offer the forward a 5-year, $190 million supermax contract. Other teams can offer Leonard 4 years and $141 million, but for a player with Leonard’s injury history, he would be wise to take the most possible years and the most money that he can.

For these reasons, plus the immense love that Toronto and the country of Canada already has for Kawhi, the Raptors are the best place where Leonard can end up signing a contract. There’s no reason to let the magic end with the 2019 NBA Title—they can accomplish much more together.

The post Kawhi Leonard’s Best Option is Staying with the Toronto Raptors appeared first on SportzBonanza.