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LOS ANGELES ā LA Clippers star Kawhi Leonard is focused on the 2020-21 season and the team's pursuit of an NBA Championship, not his impending free agency. His co-star in Paul George committed to the franchise longterm last week when he signed a four-year extension, but that's because he was eligible for one. Leonard isn't.
āJust for my situation right now, Iām just focused on this season,ā Kawhi Leonard told members of the media on Monday. āNot saying Iām going anywhere else or staying here, but Iām just focused on the season. Obviously, if Iām healthy, the best decision is to decline player option, but that doesnāt mean Iām leaving or staying. Iām focused on the season, like I said. Weāll talk about that when the time is right.ā
āIām just focused on this season. Not saying Iām going anywhere else or staying here. The best decision is to decline player option, but that doesnāt mean Iām leaving or staying.ā
ā Kawhi Leonard on his free agency. pic.twitter.com/0QR3JJUP2z
ā Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) December 21, 2020
Leonard will be playing his 10th NBA season this year, which will then allow him to sign a max contract worth up to 35% of the salary cap next summer. Barring another complete meltdown, Leonard is widely expected to re-sign with the Clippers in free agency 2021.
In his press conference following his extension announcement, Paul George said he's talked to Leonard, but wasn't going to put any pressure on him to re-sign.
āThe responsibility is to make him feel like the way I felt when I came into my extension,ā Paul George explained. āI knew where I wanted to be. I knew who I wanted to play with. Thatās my responsibility to go into the season. Again, itās Kawhiās decision. Iām a grown man. If he decides to go elsewhere, thatās a decision that Iāll be happy for him. But my hope, my responsibility, and what I would love is to play with him for the rest of my contract or the rest of his contract. I guess I have to work on that when it comes to his time.ā
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āThe responsibility is to make him feel like I felt when I came into my extension. I knew where I wanted to beā¦ My hope, responsibility, and what I would love is to play with him for the rest of my contract or the rest of his contract.ā
Paul George on Kawhi Leonard. #Clippers pic.twitter.com/G6GMFHqTAA
ā Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) December 11, 2020
Leonard, for one, appreciated George coming to him about the deal.
āI spoke to Paul, he felt comfortable here,ā Leonard added. āHe loves the city, heās obviously from here, so I think from his standpoint, he did a great job of coming to me and telling em how he feels before signing the contract.ā
When pushed for his initial expectations on what Leonard would do, George again couldn't answer, but said he's hopeful that Kawhi does re-sign.
āIām hopeful,ā George added. āI wonāt put words in another personās mouth, but Iām hopeful. He's one of the guys that I talked to and kind of wanted to inform, āHey, this is a decision I wanted to make, I want to be here long-term.ā Itās not putting a gun to Kawhi and telling him, heās gotta do this or do that. Hopefully itās a mutual bond and we both enjoy playing with one another. Everybody's got their own decisions to make and hopefully me showing my commitment, being here and wanting to play with him long term sticks out.ā
āI wonāt put words in another personās mouth, but Iām hopeful. Heās one of the guys that I talked to and wanted to inform. Itās not putting a gun to Kawhi and telling him heās got to do this or that.ā
Paul George on talks with Kawhi Leonard to re-sign next summer. #Clippers pic.twitter.com/N5Ul1w8bNV
ā Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) December 10, 2020
Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and the LA Clippers are expected to continue their partnership beyond this season. It's just a matter of securing as much financial stability as possible, especially during a pandemic that doesn't seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. As George said, the Clippers still have some work to do to ensure that Leonard feels comfortable where he is, both on and off the basketball court.
