Did you hear that sound?
That’s applause coming from the Oklahoma City Thunder’s front office. Because they might have heard the same report that NBA fans saw on Twitter: The Athletic’s Shams Charania said that Kawhi Leonard signed a three-year contract for $103 million … and there’s a player option for the third year.
That’s HUGE news for the Thunder. Remember, the Clips traded three of their first-rounders with no protections whatsoever, along with two years of OKC having the right to swap picks with Los Angeles (we put together this handy cheat sheet on the selections the Thunder now own) to acquire Paul George.
So what if Leonard and George both don’t like what’s happening in Los Angeles and decide to both decline their 2021-22 player options? Major fallout. Those unprotected picks might be worth so much more, perhaps reaching the level of what the Celtics did with all their Nets selections after the Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce trade. Don’t forget — by the time the Thunder are using those picks, players out of high school might be eligible, too.
No pressure or anything, Clips. You either have to win a title in the next two years and/or find a way to keep your two stars extremely happy. Otherwise … welp.
