NBA: Los Angeles Clippers tie-up Kawhi Leonard contract

Kawhi Leonard is staying in NBA side Los Angeles Clippers after the club re-signed their free-agent superstar on Thursday.

Leonard averaged 26 points, 6.8 rebounds, and five assists in his first two seasons with his hometown team, the Associated Press reported.

He suffered a partially torn right ACL during the playoffs and missed the Clippers’ first Western Conference finals appearance. He then underwent surgery on his knee and his status for the upcoming season is unknown. There are good chances that he could miss a good portion of the season while in rehab.

Leonard declined his $36 million option last week, setting up his ability to sign a maximum contract worth 35% of the team’s salary cap and allowing him to earn upwards of $3 million more for the 2021-22 season, according to AP inputs.

The five-time All-Star averaged 24.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, and a career-high 5.2 assists last season while shooting 51% from the field and 88% from the line.

“Kawhi is a transcendent player and a relentless worker who improves himself every day. We share many of the same goals, which include a long-term relationship,” AP quoted Lawrence Frank, president of basketball operations for the Clippers, as saying.

Frank said the Clippers will “do whatever we can” to support Leonard in his injury rehab.

“We look forward to seeing him back where he wants to be, on the court with his teammates,” Frank said.

Leonard was named to his seventh All-Defensive team last season and his third All-NBA first team.