San Antonio Spurs star Kawhi Leonard doesn’t just want increased playing time; he’s also looking to get seriously paid.
Despite numerous discussions with the reigning NBA Finals MVP’s reps, there is reportedly a contract stalemate between the Spurs and the 23-year old.
Kawhi, who seeks a max deal, can become a restricted free agent next summer if San Antonio doesn’t re-sign him by Oct.31.
Per Yahoo! Sports:
Leonard, 23, is considered one of the NBA’s rising young stars, and multiple league executives said he’ll command a max offer sheet on the market next summer. The Spurs would assuredly match a sheet and retain Leonard, but there remains the risk of Leonard signing a similar offer sheet to Dallas Mavericks forward Chandler Parsons.
Parsons signed a three-year, $46 million offer sheet that included a player option on the third year. This way, Leonard could become an unrestricted free agent and potentially leave the Spurs in 2017.
San Antonio could sign Leonard to a five-year, $90 million-plus extension now, if the Spurs were willing to make him their designated player. San Antonio could also negotiate a four-year deal at the maximum contract level – or below – before the Friday deadline. As a restricted free agent next summer, the Spurs could also sign Leonard to a five-year extension at or below the maximum contract level.
