Field Level Media
02 Aug 2021, 03:49 GMT+10
All-NBA forward Kawhi Leonard declined his player option with the Los Angeles Clippers for next season, making him a free agent, multiple media outlets reported on Sunday.
The player option was worth $36 million, but ESPN reported that Leonard is expected to negotiate a new deal to remain with the Clippers.
However, that does not preclude him from the possibility of testing the open market once again.
The 2021 NBA free agent period officially begins at 6 p.m. ET on Monday.
Leonard, 30, joined the Clippers two years ago following a high-stakes free agency period that saw multiple teams courting him.
The two-time NBA Finals MVP (2014, 2019) and two-time Defensive Player of the Year (2015, 2016) is a Southern California native who chose the Clippers in 2019 over the Los Angeles Lakers and Toronto Raptors.
In two seasons with Los Angeles and Paul George at his side, the Clippers reached the Western Conference semifinals but no further. The Clippers lost to the Phoenix Suns in the conference semis in 2021, with Leonard sidelined for the entire series with a knee injury.
Leonard underwent surgery on a partially torn ACL in his right knee on July 13.
In 52 regular-season games in 2020-21, Leonard averaged 24.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.6 steals per contest. He was named to the All-NBA First Team for the third time of his career.
--Field Level MediaGet a daily dose of Arizona Herald news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Arizona Herald.
More InformationNEW YORK, New York - U.S. stocks diverged on Wednesday for the second day in a row. The Standard and Poor's 500 hit a new all-time...
NEW YORK CITY, New York: The U.S. dollar continues to lose ground, weighed down by growing concerns over Washington's fiscal outlook...
KABUL, Afghanistan: Afghanistan, long associated with war and instability, is quietly trying to rebrand itself as a destination for...
SANTA CLARA, California: Executives at Nvidia have quietly been cashing in on the AI frenzy. According to a report by the Financial...
NEW YORK, New York - Global stock indices closed with divergent performances on Tuesday, as investors weighed corporate earnings, central...
TORONTO, Canada: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced late on June 29 that trade negotiations with the U.S. have recommenced...
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday claimed Elon Musk's success has been built on government subsidies. Without...
DOVER, Delaware: California Governor Gavin Newsom has taken legal aim at Fox News, accusing the network of deliberately distorting...
by Xinhua writers Yao Yuan and Cheng Yunjie HEFEI, July 2 (Xinhua) -- Residents of Hefei say the city has two suns -- one suspends...
Michael Hull Over the course of the next few weeks, we will be taking an in-depth look at the Bengals' 2025 opponents. Next up, the...
CHARLOTTE Now that it's July, we're officially in the ramp-up to training camp and the start of the 2025 season. So now's a good...
Outside linebacker tied for sack lead last season Zach Gershman WhenElliott Brownwas playing football in another country, the destination...