Both Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers are reportedly engaged in a “healthy” contract extension dialogue, per Law Murray of The Athletic.
As such, Murray pointed out that these ongoing talks are considered “relatively slow” similar to the current state of the league’s trade market.
Leonard, 33, still has two years left on his current contract with the 2024-25 holding a player option. He is allowed to sign as much as $220 million for four years.
Interestingly, he and Paul George have identical contract length as well as extension case. The All-Star swingman will start to be eligible to sign his own extension in September.
The Clippers arguably got the most anticipating decision to make on their main core moving forward given the fact that both of their star duo is yet to spearhead them towards that elusive title since hammering a groundbreaking pact back in the 2019 offseason.
And the primary reason? Injury issues. Leonard cautiously requires load management every season to continue fully operating given his lengthy injury history. Last season, he averaged 23.8 points and 6.5 boards for 50 games of play. George, for his part, suited up in 56 matches en route to 23.8-point markings and 6.1 rebounds.
The Clippers could have been set for a much awaited maximization of their title window last postseason, but both Leonard and George were sidelined which ultimately crumbled the Clippers’ title hopes as early as the first round against the Phoenix Suns.
With how their extension conversations are currently being processed, both Leonard and the Clippers are still aiming to be back much stronger for next year and get focused on what they can control for now.
