San Antonio Spurs: 3 reasons Kawhi Leonard should sign the supermax

SAN ANTONIO, TX - NOVEMBER 5: Kawhi Leonard #2 of the San Antonio Spurs shoots a free throw against the LA Clippers on November 5, 2016 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images /

3. Financial advantages

The San Antonio Spurs need to take another stab at rebuilding their relationship with Kawhi Leonard. Offering him an extension totaling $221 million is a nice place to start.

Despite Kawhi Leonard moving on from agent Brian Elfus, new agent Mitch Frankel has surely informed his client about this behemoth payday. What’s more, Leonard probably knows how much less he would make if he signed with a new team next offseason. In a piece for ESPN, Bobby Marks once again provided the financial differences.

"” If Leonard is traded, the most he could receive in an extension (six months after the trade) would be $108 million over four-years (starting in 2019-20). Leonard would be eligible to sign a five-year $190 million contract as a free agent with the team acquiring him or four-years $141 million with a team that has cap space.”"

With Leonard standing to lose as much as $80 million, it is clear to see how the San Antonio Spurs hold a financial advantage. A more likely scenario is that Leonard gets traded in the near future. The Spurs will not let Leonard walk away and miss the chance to acquire quality assets. If this outcome comes into fruition, Leonard still stands to lose $31 million.

Although not a particularly sexy argument, listing the monetary benefit of sticking with a team still has a place in this discussion. Besides, my next reason is much sexier for Mr. Leonard.

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