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Report: Kawhi declines $36M player option, expected to stay with Clippers

Adam Pantozzi / National Basketball Association / Getty

Los Angeles Clippers star Kawhi Leonard declined his $36-million player option for next season but is expected to negotiate a new deal to remain with the club, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Leonard is eligible to receive a four-year, $175-million contract this offseason, according to Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes. He could also ink a two-year, $80.6-million contract with a player option for the second season, per ESPN's Bobby Marks. If Leonard went that route and declined his 2022-23 option, the Clippers could re-sign him to an NBA record five-year, $235-million deal.

The two-time Finals MVP is currently sidelined indefinitely after undergoing surgery on a partially torn right ACL.

Leonard joined the Clippers two years ago in free agency after leading the Toronto Raptors to their first NBA title. He's averaged 26 points, 6.8 boards, five assists, and 1.7 steals over 109 appearances with Los Angeles.

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