Kawhi Leonard has declined his $36M player option for next season and becomes a free agent, per source. Now, the expectation is that Leonard will negotiate a new deal to stay with Clippers. @ChrisBHaynes first on declining option.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 1, 2021
If the goal was to secure financial security now and sign a long-term deal, the smart play would have been to opt-in to his $36M contract and extend for an additional $181M.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) August 1, 2021
It would make zero sense to sign a 4 year contract now. https://t.co/nC50ga51b9