Kawhi Leonard is reportedly closing in on a jaw-dropping $126 million contract extension with the Toronto Raptors, a move that would keep him with the team for the next three seasons. This isn’t just about championship chasing anymore, folks. It’s about family, and it turns out, a whole lot of cash too. Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer broke the news that advanced discussions are underway, with Leonard eligible to sign for upwards of two years, $126 million.
The Long, Wild Ride Back to the 6ix
Honestly, this whole saga has been a rollercoaster. The trade that sent Kawhi Leonard from the LA Clippers back to Toronto just became official earlier this week, but it was a long time coming. We’re talking a monthslong delay here, all because the NBA was investigating the Clippers for some serious stuff: potentially giving Leonard improper funds and salary cap circumvention. Can you believe it? The teams originally agreed to this deal all the way back on June 30, but the league put everything on hold to investigate those allegations. It’s wild to think about what was happening behind the scenes. Now, finally, the paperwork is done, and the Raptors got their guy back.
Family First, Then Those Bags of Cash
Here’s where it gets interesting. On Wednesday, Leonard straight up said this move back to Toronto was a family decision. “I’m not really championship chasing. … I didn’t want to put on a thousand jerseys,” he shared. And get this, his son played a huge role! “This city took a liking to my family, and I took a liking to this city. I really liked it. My son was born here, and he’s been asking me forever when he’s going to come back. Now he’s back, and he’s able to see it rather than me tell him the great stories that happened.” How cool is that? It’s not every day you hear an NBA superstar talk like that. But let’s be real, while family is obviously huge, money probably sweetened the deal too. With the Raptors trying to avoid this being a one-year rental, you gotta wonder if this extension was on the table even before the trade was first agreed upon.
Once this $126 million extension is locked in, Leonard will be a Raptor for the next three seasons. There’s still plenty to sort out, but it’s crystal clear that Kawhi is set to get paid big time to stay right there in Toronto.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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