The handshake between Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors for the player’s contract extension didn’t take long. Ultimately, he will earn 115 million dollars over two years, with the second year as a player option for the 2028-29 season. The new contract will take effect next year, once the remaining term of the current season ends. With this figure, Kawhi forgoes 11 million compared to the maximum he could have agreed to.
Truth be told, at least outwardly, Leonard’s return to Canada seems to be going as smoothly as silk. The city has shown pride, has wanted to reveal in detail the internal processes, and the player himself appears particularly carefree and even extroverted for what is normal for him. It hardly seems like he endured a bad experience that led him to pay a $700,000 fine.
With this arrangement, the Raptors secure at least two years of Kawhi Leonard alongside their young core. Led by Scottie Barnes and the promise of an up-and-coming Collin Murray-Boyles.
