Kawhi Leonard, Paul George officially join LA Clippers

“Ehen you have the opportunity to acquire a contributor of his calibre, you do what it takes to bring him home,” Clippers President Lawrence Frank said.

George is a Los Angeles native. Leonard is also a Southern California native and a person with knowledge of the situation said he signed a three-year max contract that could be worth nearly $110 million — although the last year is at his option, meaning he and George could both be free agents in 2021. They both will have options that summer.

The person spoke to AP on condition of anonymity because the Clippers did not release the final terms of Leonard’s deal. The Athletic first reported the three-year term and option provision in Leonard’s deal.

Leonard and the Clippers had talked about a full four-year max as well, but eventually agreed on the shorter deal which preserves the future contract flexibility for the two-time NBA Finals MVP.

“Having him on our side is a tremendous privilege and a massive responsibility, one we will take very seriously,” Frank said. “His expectation, and ours, is to contend for championships.”

Leonard led San Antonio to the NBA title in 2014 and Toronto to its first title last month.

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Tim Reynolds, The Associated Press

by Canadian Press

Kawhi Leonard, Paul George officially join LA Clippers

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