LOS ANGELES -- LA Clippers All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard wasn't ready to discuss his future with the team after Wednesday night's season-ending loss to the Golden State Warriors as he heads into the final season of his contract.
"Let me cry about this loss a little bit more," Leonard said when asked whether he could see a future with the Clippers, who moved All-Star guard James Harden and young center Ivica Zubac in February trades that left many wondering if they were embarking on a rebuild. "We'll have our discussions when that time comes."
Leonard is eligible, starting on the day after the NBA Finals, to extend his contract for two additional seasons. According to ESPN's Bobby Marks, the maximum the Clippers can offer is $126.1 million over the two seasons.
But the Clippers didn't fall off after those trades, becoming the first team in NBA history to finish the season 15 games over.500 after being 15 games under.500 at an earlier point of their season. LA went 36-19 to close the regular season -- fourth best in the Western Conference during that span -- after opening 6-21.