The Toronto Raptors are expected to begin contract extension talks this week with forward Kawhi Leonard and his new agent, ESPN reported on Monday.
Leonard, 35, has one season and $50.3 million remaining on the three-year extension he signed in 2024 with the Los Angeles Clippers.
The previous deal was negotiated by Mitch Frankel, but the seven-time All-Star and two-time NBA Finals MVP has hired Harrison Gaines of SLASH Sports to oversee negotiations with Toronto, per the report.
Leonard is eligible to sign up to a two-year, $123.7 million extension as he rejoins the Raptors, per ESPN.
The Clippers agreed on June 30 to trade Leonard to the Raptors for veteran forward Brandon Ingram, third-year guard Gradey Dick and a package of draft picks. The trade can be made official on Monday.
Leonard averaged 26.6 points and 7.3 rebounds in 60 games (all starts) with Toronto in 2018-19, his lone season with the team before moving on to the Clippers. He was named Finals MVP after leading the Raptors to a six-game series victory over the Golden State Warriors.
After a string of injury-plagued seasons, Leonard averaged a career-high 27.9 points along with 6.4 rebounds in 65 games (all starts) last season to finish seventh in the MVP voting and earn his seventh All-Star nod.
The two-time Defensive Player of the Year has career averages of 20.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.7 steals in 798 games (769 starts) with the San Antonio Spurs (2011-18), Raptors and Clippers (2019-21, 2022-26).
