Cap inside out and black t-shirt on the back, Kawhi Leonard responded to the Clippers’ Media Day despite his injured status, and released a few statements that should delight fans of the franchise in Los Angeles. The Fun Guy loves being in the City of Angels, and that’s not going to change.
Four years for 176 million dollars, with a player option in the last year. By extending his contract with the Clippers for the long haul, Kawhi Leonard made his intentions clear: Los Angeles is home, and the Clippers are to franchise. With his free agent status, and the uncertainty surrounding his knee injury in recent Playoffs, some rumors of Leonard’s potential departure had surfaced, although the most likely scenario remained a contract extension with the franchise of the City of Angels. At the same time, when you play at home, close to your family, in a team capable of playing bagouze, all under the Los Angeles sun, there’s no real reason to leave. A scenario that was therefore confirmed in August. And yesterday, during the Media Day of the Clippers, Kawhi spoke about his choice of this summer, in particular in relation to his decision to immediately take a long contract rather than a short one, which could have allowed him to win a even bigger deal a bit later.
“The best option for me was to take a 1 + 1 deal [prolongation d’un an, avec une player option sur la seconde saison, ndlr.], before opt-out to sign a five-year contract. But that would have created a lot of storylines from you [les journalistes, ndlr.] concerning a potential departure. I wanted to secure the money, and replay this season after my injury. With a 1 + 1, I probably wouldn’t have considered a comeback this season, just to be on the safe side. But I’m here. I am here to be a Clipper. I’m not going to leave, unless something drastic happens. I am here for a long time. “
“I’m here. I’m here to be a Clipper. I’m not going to any other team. I’m here for the long run.”
Kawhi Leonard explains his decision to sign the 4-year deal as opposed to the 1+1 and then the 5-year max deal. pic.twitter.com/37Oc9fNrGx
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) September 27, 2021
Before Kawhi Leonard extended for the long term, it was indeed questioned whether his knee injury suffered during the 2021 Playoffs was going to have an impact on his decision at the Free Agency. We are still talking about a partial rupture of a knee ligament, it is not nothing. Obviously, it was. As Kawhi indicates, the 1 + 1 option could have enabled him to land an XXL deal of 235 million dollars over five years thanks to the recovery of full Bird Rights (you have to have played three seasons with the same team, Leonard is two), but he chose to play it safe right away to have peace of mind. Asked also about the condition of his knee and a potential comeback this season, Kawhi did Kawhi and did not reveal much.
“I take this one day after another. I work with the staff every day. When the return date arrives, we’ll be ready, and that will be announced publicly. “
Mystery mystery therefore. Coach Tyronn Lue and president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank did not want to advance on the subject either during Media Day. They each stressed the importance of giving Kawhi time in his rehabilitation. What matters is waiting for the right time to come back. In short, a great classic. But despite his absence from the field, Leonard would today be very involved in his franchise, he who was extremely hyped (no) during the ceremony of laying the first stone for the future room of the Clippers. Kawhi was also seen emerging from his cave recently to inaugurate a basketball court in Moreno Valley (a suburb of Los Angeles, where he spent his youth), in partnership with his sponsor New Balance. He even let out a big smile. No doubt, LA is home.
I talked with Kawhi Leonard about why he’s always felt he can go home again, to Moreno Valley.
“When I come here, you get all the memories back in your head, the thoughts of the fun, the downfalls and the uprisings.” https://t.co/jg8bIBIjmv
— Andrew Greif (@AndrewGreif) September 27, 2021
Arrived in the City of Angels in 2019, Kawhi Leonard has just publicly reaffirmed his love for Los Angeles and the Clippers, which he intends to bring to the top one day. And with his four-year contract, the giant-handed winger has killed off rumors at least until 2024, when he can theoretically return to the Free Agency market.
Source texte : Media Day Clippers
–
