Signed to a 3-year Extension Worth $152.3 Million per AP Source
Kawhi Leonard has established himself as one of the NBA’s premier playoff performers in recent seasons, winning two Finals MVP awards and joining legendary figures such as Michael Jordan and LeBron James as winners of such honors.
The NBA MVP award represents the pinnacle of individual achievement in the league. It recognizes players whose play has elevated in key moments and recognizes their contribution to team success overall.
Nikola Jokic and Jimmy Butler appear to be favorites to win this year’s trophy, though Kawhi Leonard has made his case. Leonard scored 732 points during the playoffs – the third-most ever by an individual postseason player behind LeBron James and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – making him one of only few players ever to earn multiple Finals MVP awards with different teams.
Kawhi Leonard averages 24.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game this season
Leonard scored 29 points (10-18 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 7-7 FT), collected three rebounds, provided seven assists, and made two blocks during 38 minutes against Toronto on Wednesday 126-120 win. Leonard is currently averaging 24.0 points and 6.0 rebounds per game this season.
Kawhi has scored 24.0 or more points 17 times out of 33 games this year and averaged over 6.0 rebounds each time out, along with making an average of 2.3 three-pointers per contest – an increase of 0.8 from his prop bet total for Friday’s contest.
Leonard has amassed an astounding 41.5 percent three-point field shooting percentage over his career and should continue his recent hot streak against a Memphis Grizzlies squad that is struggling. Over his last three games against Memphis, Leonard has averaged 25 points and six rebounds while Memphis is currently winless over its last five contests.
He’s a five-time All-Star and two-time Defensive Player of the Year
Leonard was selected in the first round (15th overall) of the 2011 NBA Draft and has become one of its premier two-way players since. He averages 23.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game this season.
Kawhi has also been named Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year for an unprecedented second consecutive year, joining Hakeem Olajuwon and Michael Jordan as one of only three players ever to take home this award twice. Leonard received 84 first-place votes and 547 total points from a panel of 130 sportswriters and broadcasters this year; Golden State Warriors power forward Draymond Green came in second with 44 first-place votes (421 total points); Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside earned third with 83 points (two first place votes).
Leonard has signed a new deal that ensures his future with the Clippers as they prepare to move into their new Intuit Dome stadium in 2023. Together with Paul George, they’ll form one of the two star tandems for this franchise.
He’s a key piece of the Clippers’ core
Kawhi Leonard is one of the NBA’s premier versatile players. A five-time All-Star and two-time Defensive Player of the Year, he also won an NBA championship with San Antonio Spurs in 2014.
Leonard is dedicated to giving back to his community. He has collaborated with the Clippers Foundation and Baby2Baby in providing backpacks for underprivileged children, while hosting an outreach camp for local youth.
Signing Leonard to an extension will enable the Clippers to keep their core intact for the near future, although they still must sign Paul George and James Harden to contracts of their own. With Leonard joining their ranks, however, they will be better equipped to compete against top teams in Western Conference.
He’s a two-time NBA Finals MVP
Leonard can decide between exercising his $21.3 million player option or becoming an unrestricted free agent, though it seems unlikely he’ll leave the Clippers for Golden State Warriors.
Leonard joined Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers) and LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat) as only three other players to ever earn two Finals MVP awards in consecutive Finals seasons.
Kawhi has already cemented himself as one of the premier players in the league with his three-year contract worth an estimated $152.3 million, already being one of its cornerstone players as his team advances rapidly in Western Conference standings and rising up the standings in terms of rankings. Leonard represents this new era for Clippers fans.
To know more about recent developments, visit our Alts news website. Thankyou!
- Friday Intraday Trading Sees Nvidia’s stock Market Cap Momentarily Cross $2 Trillion
- Trump’s January 6 Civil Cases Proceed While Criminal Case Is Halted
- Trump Delivers Speech at the Columbia Black Conservative Federation Gala
- Trump Declares Strong Support for IVF Following Alabama Supreme Court Decision
- Schumer in Ukraine Declares US Backing During House Aid Standoff
