Kawhi Leonard hopes deal helps Clippers keep George, Harden

LOS ANGELES — Kawhi Leonard said he hoped that by accepting less than he was eligible for in a contract extension with the LA Clippers, Paul George and James Harden would also stay on the team.

The Clippers announced Leonard's deal Wednesday but did not disclose terms. He signed a three-year, $153 million contract extension, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

“With the conversation I'm having with them about it, I think for the most part, everyone's coming back,” Leonard said after the Clippers beat the Toronto Raptors 126-120 on Wednesday night. “So by signing an extension, I think it gives us a chance to sign these two players.”

Leonard and George entered the season eligible for a four-year, $223 million maximum extension, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks.

Sources told Wojnarowski that Leonard's extension would bring in $52 million in the first year and around $50 million per season over the next two years. The expansion does not include a player option, according to Wojnarowski, but does include a 15% trade kicker.

Asked if he planned to take a shorter extension than he was entitled to, Leonard replied: “I think at that point I'll be 35.”

“You’re going to see how I play at this age,” Leonard, 32, said. “So I guess that’s the number.”

The Clippers have also had extension talks with George and want both stars to align on longer-term contracts, sources told Wojnarowski.

Leonard had until June 30 to sign an extension with a $48.7 million player option for next season. George, who also has a $48.7 million player option, said he is excited for Leonard and wants to remain a Clipper.

“I mean, absolutely,” George said when asked if Leonard's extension was a stepping stone for him to stay. “You secure and lock down Kawhi. That definitely leaves the door open for me, but I'm very, very optimistic something will be done on my behalf as well.”

When asked how much he and the Clippers were on the same page about an extension, George said, “We're working on it.”

Harden, 34, is under contract and cannot sign a new deal until after the NBA Finals. The Clippers and Harden have been very pleased with how things have gone since the team traded for the point guard on October 30.

After a six-game losing streak shortly after the trade, the Clippers got angry and cried. They have now won 21 of their last 27 games with Leonard in the midst of one of his healthiest and most productive seasons as a Clipper.

Leonard started this season playing in 27 consecutive games, his most consecutive games in a season since 2016-17. The two-time Finals MVP is averaging 24 points and six rebounds while shooting 51.8 percent from the field, including 43.2 percent from behind the arc, in 33 games.

George, 33, is also off to a strong start, averaging 23.4 points and 5.6 rebounds while shooting 46.3 percent from the field and 41.4 percent from 3-point range in 35 games.

The Leonard extension ensures the Clippers will have their franchise star as they move to their new Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif., next season.

“It made sense on both sides,” said Lawrence Frank, the Clippers’ president of basketball operations. “We both wanted the same thing. We wanted Kawhi to be a Clipper for a very long time, and Kawhi has wanted to be a Clipper for a very long time, and we wanted to emphasize the team and at the same time just come together where it made sense and it was a very fair deal for both parties.

“Kawhi was a great partner. With this new collective bargaining agreement, the penalties are tough… for teams that spend a lot of money, and Kawhi understands that.”

Frank said the team was in constant communication with George's representation. With Leonard, George, Harden and Russell Westbrook all hailing from the Los Angeles area, the Clippers hope the desire to stay home and try to win a championship will help keep the core together.

“I'm extremely excited and happy that Kawhi has reached a deal that will hopefully make him a Clipper for the rest of his career,” George said. “We'll see my situation when we get there, but I'm just happy they closed the deal on his end. I know he wants to stay here, so do I. When my time comes, we'll be ready for these conversations like Good.”