Sidelined by a nagging quad injury, San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard has only played in nine games this season. Leonard’s issues this season aren’t just injury related though as according to ESPN’s Michael C. Wright and Ramona Shelburne, the Spurs star’s contract extension talks with Jordan Brand have “stalled.”
Leonard’s representatives reportedly turned down a $20 million extension with Jordan Brand because they felt like the deal didn’t match the Spurs star’s accomplishment and stature around the League, which is backed by two Defensive Player of the Year Awards, one NBA Finals MVP and top 3 NBA MVP voting finishes in the last two seasons.
Here’s more on the stalled talks with Leonard and Jordan Brand from Wright and Shelburne:
San Antonio Spurs star forward Kawhi Leonard will likely be pondering a supermax contract extension over the summer, but off the court, talks between he and Jordan Brand on a new shoe deal have stalled, multiple sources with knowledge of the situation told ESPN.
Jordan Brand, which is a division of Nike, and Leonard’s representatives came “very close” to completion on a new four-year extension worth more than $20 million. But discussions broke down abruptly because representatives for Leonard didn’t feel that the new deal reflected the forward’s accomplishments and standing within the league, sources said.
Leonard’s contract with Jordan Brand expires on October 1st so the two sides still have plenty of time to work out a possible extension. Also, if Leonard decides to sign with another shoe company, Jordan Brand could match the offer. Keep it locked to Nice Kicks as details develop.
