Kawhi Leonard is one of 15 players who signed a rookie-scale contract in 2011 and is eligible for an extension deal by the 11:59 PM deadline tonight. However, as of Friday morning, Leonard and the Spurs do not appear close to reaching an agreement. Should that continue, Leonard will become a restricted free agent next summer.
Leonard will likely receive a deal worth max dollars by another team during restricted free agency. The Spurs realize this and have possibly delayed giving Leonard an extension on purpose.
ESPN.com's Marc Stein explains what San Antonio could be thinking.
"Sources say that San Antonio prefers to wait until the offseason to address Leonard's future in the name of maintaining maximum financial flexibility," Stein wrote.
"That strategy does come with an element of risk, since Leonard is sure to attract max offer sheets of varying contract lengths on July 1, his first day as a restricted free agent. But the Spurs would have the right to match any offer Leonard gets next summer in that scenario and would be able to do so with a better feel about how much longer stalwarts Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili want to keep playing. If the Spurs were to extend Leonard's contract now, and then either Duncan or Ginobili -- or both -- decides to retire, San Antonio's cap space to replace them would be lessened significantly."
For players with zero to six years of NBA service, the projected max salary is $15.5 million. Should that number hold, Leonard could possibly get roughly $89 million over five years. Due to the sizeable financial commitment, it makes sense to wait on giving Leonard a contract extension so that the Spurs can maximize their salary cap possibilities and remain flexible when putting together a roster for next season.
Leonard averaged 12.8 points and 6.2 rebounds in the regular season last year while also being named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team. He raised nearly all of his stats across the board during the playoffs when he averaged 14.3 points, 6.7 rebounds and shot 41% from three point range and was named NBA Finals MVP.
