Clipperholics
Fansided

Three reasons why Kawhi Leonard won’t join the LA Clippers this summer

By Ryan Snellings

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 13: Kyle Lowry #7 and Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors pose for a portrait with the Larry O'Brien Trophy after winning Game Six of the 2019 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors on June 13, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 13: Kyle Lowry #7 and Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors pose for a portrait with the Larry O'Brien Trophy after winning Game Six of the 2019 NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors on June 13, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
OAKLAND, CA – JUNE 13: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors looks on after Game Six of the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors on June 13, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – JUNE 13: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Toronto Raptors looks on after Game Six of the NBA Finals against the Golden State Warriors on June 13, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Reason Two: Kawhi Can Get The Most Money in Toronto

As much as we all like to pretend players worry about their legacies and the on the court product, that’s not the whole story. These men are out there trying to earn the most money possible and staying with Toronto does just that for Kawhi.

By trading for him last summer, the Raptors inherited Kawhi’s Bird Rights. This does a couple of things for them. First, they can re-sign him over the soft cap. This is how they can keep the whole team together. Secondly, they can offer him one more contract year then any other team can.

According to projections of max level contracts next season, this equates to almost a $50 million difference.

By re-signing with the Raptors, Leonard can earn somewhere in the ballpark of $189,660,000 over the next five seasons. Comparatively, signing with the Clippers only nets him $140,610,000 over four seasons.

Re-signing accomplishes two things for players. They get more money and an extra guaranteed year. For someone who has injury history and given what we just witnessed happening in the Finals with Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson, getting more guaranteed years is never a bad thing.

Some of you might argue that $50 million isn’t really that much in the grand scheme of things when talking about this contracts coupled with sponsorships these players have, but no one got rich by taking less money.

Home/Clippers News