{
  "id": 9188903,
  "title": "Why Kawhi Leonard took less than max for Raptors' contract extension",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/why-kawhi-leonard-took-less-than-max-for-raptors-contract-extension",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-22T19:39:41.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/why-kawhi-leonard-took-less-193941360.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Kawhi Leonard contract saga has been the biggest story in basketball this month. After the trade between the Los Angeles Clippers and Toronto Raptors finalized, the two-time NBA Finals MVP has decided to stay longer in Toronto. According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Leonard has agreed to a $115 million deal for two years, which is $11 million less than a maximum contract for Leonard. Charania revealed that Leonard also waived his $7.45 million trade kicker as both teams discussed flexibility for the Raptors' rising salary books over the next three NBA seasons. Leonard has previously taken less than a maximum contract by signing an extension with the Clippers in January 2024. This decision led to an investigation into the salary cap circumvention that dominated the news cycle this summer and resulted in severe punishment for Los Angeles this offseason.",
  "summary": "There was no bigger story in basketball this month than one involving a Kawhi Leonard contract. But a new update in the saga just reportedly unfolded.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Kawhi Leonard to reportedly sign 2-year, $115 million extension with Raptors",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/kawhi-leonard-to-reportedly-sign-2-year-115-million-extension-with",
        "published": "2026-09-22T19:14:43.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Newsweek",
        "title": "Raptors Ink Kawhi Leonard to Monster $115 Million Deal After Clippers Trade",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/raptors-ink-kawhi-leonard-to-monster-115-million-deal-after-clippers",
        "published": "2026-09-22T20:43:05.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}