Players change agents all the time and it goes by with little mention, but Kawhi Leonard changing agents for his next negotiations — pushing aside his longtime advisors — is worth noting.
Leonard and Toronto — who just traded for the veteran winger — are expected to start negotiations on a contract extension off his $50.3 million deal this year.
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Handling those negotiations will be Harrison Gaines of SLASH Sports, replacing Leonard’s longtime representatives Mitch Frankel and “Uncle” Dennis Robertson, reports Shams Charania of ESPN.
It is not a coincidence that this change comes after the NBA launched an investigation into Leonard’s contract with the Clippers and whether the team used former sponsor Aspiration to circumvent the salary cap and get more money to Leonard. Robertson, in particular, has been discussed in that investigation, and the off-the-books additions he allegedly asked teams for during Leonard’s free agency are legendary. Leonard and the Clippers have denied any wrongdoing, and the lengthy investigation drags on.
Leonard was traded to Toronto for Brandon Ingram, Gradey Dick, and a couple of first-round draft picks. Leonard is coming off an All-NBA season where he averaged a career-best 27.9 points per game, shooting 38.7% from beyond the arc. He is an excellent fit for Toronto and can help push the team near the top of the East — but only if he is healthy. While he played 65 games last season, in his seven seasons in Los Angeles, he reached that number twice.
