Kawhi Leonard's Clippers extension was not the full max

Kawhi Leonard's current Clippers deal is being pulled back into the cap-circumvention debate, but one point needs separating: it was not the largest extension he could have signed.

ESPN reported in January 2024 that Leonard agreed to a three-year, $153 million extension with LA. The Clippers did not disclose terms, but ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported the deal paid $52 million in the first year and roughly $50 million in each of the next two seasons. It also carried no player option and included a 15% trade kicker.

The bigger comparison is what Leonard was eligible to receive. ESPN's Bobby Marks reported that Leonard and Paul George entered that season eligible for maximum extensions of four years and $223 million. Leonard said at the time that taking less could help the Clippers keep George and James Harden, adding that his extension gave the team a chance to sign both players.

That does not settle the NBA's Clippers investigation. It only clarifies the contract math. Leonard took a shorter, lower deal than the four-year max available to him, while any alleged outside compensation would still be judged separately under league rules.