Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard is expected to re-sign with the team in free agency this summer.
According to reports, both the Clippers and other teams within the NBA expect Leonard to stay put. The All-Star has a $36 million player option for the 2021-22 season but will opt out in favor of signing a long-term contract.
Now that Leonard has opted out, he can either sign a one-year deal worth $39.3 million in order to give the Clippers full Bird rights starting in 2022-23 and allowing them to offer him a max five-year deal in the summer of 2022. He could also sign long-term with LA now, though the Clippers can only offer a four-year deal with the early Bird rights they hold. Free agency officially begins Monday, Aug. 2, at 3 p.m.
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