The Los Angeles Clippers have agreed to a three-year, $153 million contract extension with frequently injured forward Kawhi Leonard, ESPN reported.

Leonard was approaching the June deadline to opt in to his $48.7 million player option for next season. In exchange, the two sides agreed to give him a significant raise, sources told Adrian Wojnarowski. according to To ESPN.

ESPN reported that Adrian Wojnarowski has learned that the Clippers will pay Leonard $52 million in the first year of the contract and approximately $50 million over the next two years.

good morning, #ClipperNation 🖐️

Signed Kawhi Leonard to a contract extension. pic.twitter.com/aBDJpHwEn0

— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) January 10, 2024

“We are excited to continue our relationship with Kawhi. He is an elite athlete, a great partner, and a relentless worker who knows how to win and makes that his top priority.” said Lawrence Frank, Clippers president of basketball operations. statement.

It's a risky move for the Clippers, but there's a big upside. Leonard, a two-time NBA Finals MVP, has great potential when healthy. The problem is, for the Clippers, he's barely doing that.

rear playing After playing fewer than 60 games in each of his first two seasons in Los Angeles, Kawhi missed the entire 2021-2022 season with a torn ACL. He began his return with some success during the 2022-2023 season, but was still only able to play 52 games. (Related: Heat coach Erik Spoelstra's ex-wife posts on social media after being trolled for tampering with bag)

But things are going very well for The Crow this year. He only missed four games against the Clippers, averaging 23.8 points per game and playing solid defense. That's a far cry from his peak of 27.1 points per game in his first year with the Clippers, but it's worth a shot to see if he can improve and regain his postseason prowess.