Raptors, Kawhi Leonard agree to two-year, $115M extension: report

The Toronto Raptors have reached a two-year, $115 million extension with veteran forward Kawhi Leonard, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The deal includes a player option for the 2028-29 season. Leonard was acquired by the Raptors in a blockbuster trade from the Los Angeles Clippers, in which the team received forward Brandon Ingram, guard Gradey Dick, and first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, along with a 2027 first-round swap and two second-round picks.

The trade was controversial due to an investigation into potential salary-cap circumvention, resulting in the Clippers paying a $700,000 fine to Leonard and incurring a $30 million penalty. Team officials Steve Ballmer and Gillian Zucker were suspended for a year, while Lawrence Frank faced a six-month ban. Despite his age of 35, Leonard had a highly productive and healthy season last year, averaging 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.9 steals, while shooting 50.5% from the field and 38.7% from three-point range.

He appeared in all 65 games that season, his second consecutive full season since his return to the Raptors. A seven-time all-star, Leonard has faced significant health issues throughout his 15-year career, missing 60 games during his first stint with the Raptors and the entire 2021-22 season due to a torn ACL.