In the early morning of January 11, 2024, Beijing time, according to a report by Shams, the Clippers and the core of the team, Kowai Leonard, officially reached a three-year early contract extension worth $152.4 million, which is a decreasing contract without a player option, with a salary of about $52 million in the first year, and a salary of about $50 million in the next two years. And this early contract renewal, Leonard's salary was cut by about 8.5 million!
This season, Leonard appeared in 32 games for the Clippers, averaging 34.5 minutes per game, 23.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.8 steals and 0.8 blocks, shooting 51.6% from the field, 43% from three-point range, and 87.1% from the free throw line. Leonard was originally hoping to sign a five-year, $280 million super-cap contract extension, and he made certain salary sacrifices in order for the team to keep Harden and George. After successfully retaining Leonard, the Clippers will focus on George's early contract extension, and they want to keep their current core roster for a long time, and George is expected to get a contract similar to Leonard.
According to NBA reporter Keith Smith's analysis, the Clippers still have room for salary activities after completing an early contract extension with Leonard, and the Clippers can still get a star-level player with an annual salary of about $20 million through a trade, and they do not need to lose the team's rotation players, and the Clippers have a first-round pick to operate a trade in the future. Clippers owner Ballmer also made an important statement on this issue, saying that re-signing Leonard is just the first step to winning the championship, and now that the team has good chemistry and compatibility, he will continue to keep the Big Four in the roster, and make targeted reinforcements before the trade deadline this season, and do whatever it takes to complete the championship.
At the beginning of this season, the Clippers brought Harden to Los Angeles through a big trade, forming a luxury Big Four lineup of Harden, Westbrook, George, and Leonard. But as Wei Shao took the initiative to apply to the bench, Tyronn Lue determined Harden's organizational core, and the team gradually began to get back on track, and the state quickly picked up, playing the best record in the league at the same time. At present, the Clippers have achieved a 23-13 record and have risen to fourth place in the West. And this season's Clippers have ushered in a relatively healthy season, and they have ushered in the best opportunity and capital to compete for the championship this season.
At the end of the season, both Leonard and George will have player options for next season, while Harden will be a full free agent after the season. At present, the team has a reasonable squad structure, and the cooperation between the stars is very harmonious, with strong competitiveness and championship strength, which also makes Leonard and others see the hope of winning the championship. With Leonard's salary cut and contract extension, it indicates that the other two stars on the team are also very likely to choose to take a salary cut to stay with the team, and it also makes the Clippers still have the possibility of winning the championship for many years to come. As for the Clippers, it is clear that they are also very willing to keep their current core roster for a long time. In addition, they also have the league's most money-hungry boss Ballmer, which also gives them the absolute initiative on the road to the championship, and I believe that George and Harden's early contract extension will soon be heard!
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