Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard is considered one of the greatest two-way players in the history of the NBA.
The 32-year-old small forward is a proven winner, securing two NBA titles in 2014 with the San Antonio Spurs and 2019 with the Toronto Raptors. He earned the Finals MVP distinction on both occasions.
Let's look at Kawhi Leonard's new contract, career earnings, and salary details.
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Kawhi Leonard Contract: $152.4 million
In January 2024, Leonard agreed on a three-year contract extension with the Los Angeles Clippers worth $152.4 million, set to take effect from 2024-25 to 2026-27.
The two-time NBA Finals MVP chose a contract offering less money, passing up the opportunity for the maximum amount of $161 million over three years if the salary cap is projected at $142 million for the next season.
This decision gave the team financial flexibility for retaining players like Paul George and James Harden, who have expiring contracts and are likely negotiating new deals.
The five-time NBA All-Star opted not to exercise the final year player option in his current contract, signed initially in 2021 and valued at $176.3 million over four years, in favor of the new agreement.
Kawhi Leonard Career Earnings
By the end of the 2023-24 NBA season, Leonard is expected to have earned $276.45 million from his NBA salary alone over his 13 seasons in the league, according to Spotrac.
This calculation excludes potential income from off-court ventures like endorsements and partnerships. Additionally, the mentioned amount doesn't account for deductions such as taxes, agent fees, or other business-related expenses.
Looking forward to the conclusion of his current contract after the 2026-27 NBA season, the former San Diego State standout is projected to have amassed career earnings exceeding $428.5 million.
This would position him as the sixth-highest earner in NBA history by that time, trailing only LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard, and Bradley Beal.
By the conclusion of his next deal, Leonard would be around 35 or 36 years old, and retirement or signing a final NBA contract could be among his considerations as he approaches the twilight of his career.
Kawhi Leonard Salary 2023-24
During the current 2023-24 NBA season, the final year of his existing deal, Leonard is set to earn $45.6 million, making him the highest-paid player on the Los Angeles Clippers roster alongside Paul George, who also has an identical salary, according to figures from HoopsHype.
This represents a notable salary increase from the previous season, where he earned $42.4 million.
As Leonard's next contract takes effect in the following season, he is expected to earn around $52 million for the 2024-25 NBA season, followed by a slight decrease in the 2025-26 and 2026-27 campaigns, where he is set to receive $50 million for each season, per league insider Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
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