“This Is $25 Million More”: NBA Insider Issues Stark Warning on Raptors $115M Kawhi Leonard Deal

Kawhi Leonard signed a two-year, $115 million contract extension with the Toronto Raptors. What was in the works for months, but delayed due to Leonard's involvement in the LA Clippers' salary cap circumvention controversy, was finally confirmed on Tuesday. While the seven-time All-Star will bolster the Raptors' championship chances, an NBA insider has spotted a red flag in the contract value.

Throughout Kawhi's 15-year career, he's been injury-prone and has never completed an 82-game regular season. Moreover, in the past nine seasons, he hasn't even reached the 70-game mark, with knee and ankle troubles leading to heavy load management. With that in mind, ESPN's Tim MacMahon doesn't feel like the Raptors' investment in Kawhi is entirely worth the risk.

"Let's not act like this is not a massive risk," MacMahon said on ESPN's NBA Today. "This is a guy who's played 60-plus games three times. Three times in the last nine years. Now one of those, 60 on the nose, was in Toronto, and he led them to a title.

"But $115 million for a player with those durability issues, right? In his mid-30s. That is a massive contract. That's not a discount deal. A discount deal is Kevin Durant: a two-year, $90 million extension. This is $25 million more than that."

In total, Leonard is expected to make $165 million over the next three years. He was in the final year of his three-year contract with the LA Clippers before being traded to the Raptors. Leonard is expected to make $50.3 million this coming 2026-27 season before the increased pay takes effect from 2027-28.

Former NBA Star Reacts to Kawhi Leonard's Contract Extension

While Kawhi Leonard and the Toronto Raptors have a mutual agreement, many are surprised by the $115 million contract extension. While the negative impact of the Clippers salary cap controversy is one reason - Leonard only getting a slap-on-the-wrist $700,000 fine while the Clippers had to shell out $30 million - his injury history is a concern echoed by more than just Tim MacMahon.

Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas reacted to Leonard's mammoth contract extension on Tuesday's episode of the "Gil's Arena" show.

"Aye man... Bruh... Man, I can't even... What he's doing... Two years, $15 million, s***, that's great too. A hundred?" Arenas said on his podcast. "He missed damn near half of his career and still is a first-ballot Hall of Famer."

Honestly, Arenas and many others aren't to blame for being concerned about Leonard's health risks. However, we can't deny that Kawhi is still an unbelievable talent on the hardwood when healthy.

Last season, Leonard averaged 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.9 steals in 65 regular-season games. Those numbers allowed him to notch his seventh All-Star appearance and an All-NBA Second Team honor.

He also finished tied seventh in MVP voting, making him a top-10 player in the league despite not being able to play consistently.