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Report: Kawhi to decline option, seriously considering re-signing with Raptors

Nathaniel S. Butler / National Basketball Association / Getty

As expected, Kawhi Leonard will decline the final-year player option on his contract and become an unrestricted free agent, sources told Yahoo's Chris Haynes, who adds Leonard is seriously considering re-signing with the Toronto Raptors.

Leonard was owed $21.3 million in 2019-20 but can earn approximately $33 million next season by declining the option and signing a new deal. Though his hometown Los Angeles Clippers have been widely linked to Leonard, the Raptors are the only team in the league that can offer him a max contract with a fifth year.

The 27-year-old could also choose to join a team on a one-year contract with an option, known as a one-plus-one. Such a deal could take him through to the summer of 2021 when he'll be able to earn 35 percent of his team's salary cap after 10 years of NBA service.

Leonard hit career highs in scoring and rebounding in his first season in Toronto, leading the Raptors to their first-ever NBA championship and capturing his second Finals MVP award.

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