Clippers officially add Kawhi, George; Leonard reportedly signs 2-plus-1
The Los Angeles Clippers officially announced the free-agent signing of Kawhi Leonard and the trade acquisition of Paul George on Wednesday.
Leonard's contract, however, is apparently not a standard, four-year max contract.
The reigning NBA Finals MVP has signed a three-year, $103-million max deal that includes a third-year player option, sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania.
The two seasons prior to his option would see Leonard reach the 10-year milestone for NBA service time, making him eligible to sign a max extension worth 35 percent of a team's salary cap on his next deal.
His option also lines up with the player option on George's contract following the 2020-21 season. Because of his early Bird rights, however, Leonard would not be eligible to sign a five-year deal with the Clippers in 2021, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks.
Initial reports suggested Leonard would sign a four-year, $142-million contract with L.A., the maximum he could sign with teams other than the Toronto Raptors. It was also reported before his signing that Leonard was not considering shorter-term deals.
George's contract, originally signed with the Oklahoma City Thunder last summer, pays him $33 million in 2019-20 and $35 million in 2020-21. His 2021-22 player option is for $37.9 million.
Both Leonard and George were born and raised in Greater Los Angeles.