Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs, End Extension Talks

The San Antonio Spurs and Kawhi Leonard couldn’t agree on a contract extension by the NBA deadline, and the 2014 Finals MVP is prepared to enter restricted free agency next summer.

Kawhi Leonard and the San Antonio Spurs won’t reach a contract extension by the midnight Friday deadline for rookie contract extensions, and Leonard will enter restricted free agency this summer with his eyes on a max contract offer.

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The Spurs will be allowed to match any offer sheet Leonard signs this summer, but could find themselves facing a steep price for the rising NBA star. Leonard was the 2014 NBA Finals MVP when the Spurs beat the Miami Heat for the championship. The Spurs also have the option of making Leonard their designated player, a new clause in the NBA collective bargaining agreement, which would allow San Antonio to sign him to a five-year extension worth more than $90 million.

The Spurs are hoping they can sort out some of their future contracts this season, and are trying to remain flexible in the event one or both of Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili plan to retire soon.

“There’s no debating Kawhi’s value,” Leonard’s agent, Brian Elfus told Yahoo! Sports. “The market has been set. He’s done everything the Spurs have asked of him, exceeded all of their expectations. Coach [Gregg] Popovich has gone out of his way to call Kawhi the future face of the franchise. We have great respect for the Spurs organization, but here, we simply agree to disagree.”

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