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.

Kawhi Leonard is playing phenomenal basketball in this year’s playoffs and is the most responsible for propelling Toronto Raptors to their first ever NBA Finals. This earned him praise from all around the league, with Los Angeles Clippers’ head coach Doc Rivers being the latest to express his admiration for Leonard’s game.

During a recent appearance on ESPN, Rivers even went as far as comparing him to Chicago Bulls’ legend Michael Jordan.

“He is the most like [Michael] Jordan that we’ve seen,” – said Rivers. “Big hands, post game, can finish, great leaper, great defender, in-between game, if you beat him to the spot he bumps you off. And then you add his three-point shooting.”

Rivers has his motivation for praising Leonard and putting him in such esteemed company. Clippers are reportedly all-in on pursuing Leonard in the free agency and are one of the favorites to land his services considering the 27-year-old’s wishes to play in Los Angeles.

Leonard currently averages 31.2 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game in the playoffs.

The post Doc Rivers on Kawhi Leonard: “Most Like Michael Jordan That We’ve Seen” 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.

Kawhi Leonard is playing phenomenal basketball in this year’s playoffs and is the most responsible for propelling Toronto Raptors to their first ever NBA Finals. This earned him praise from all around the league, with Los Angeles Clippers’ head coach Doc Rivers being the latest to express his admiration for Leonard’s game.

During a recent appearance on ESPN, Rivers even went as far as comparing him to Chicago Bulls’ legend Michael Jordan.

“He is the most like [Michael] Jordan that we’ve seen,” – said Rivers. “Big hands, post game, can finish, great leaper, great defender, in-between game, if you beat him to the spot he bumps you off. And then you add his three-point shooting.”

Rivers has his motivation for praising Leonard and putting him in such esteemed company. Clippers are reportedly all-in on pursuing Leonard in the free agency and are one of the favorites to land his services considering the 27-year-old’s wishes to play in Los Angeles.

Leonard currently averages 31.2 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game in the playoffs.

The post Doc Rivers on Kawhi Leonard: “Most Like Michael Jordan That We’ve Seen” appeared first on SportzBonanza.