Kawhi Leonard hired Harrison Gaines as his new agent to negotiate a contract extension with the Toronto Raptors once his trade from the Los Angeles Clippers is official, sources told ESPN's Shams Charania.
Gaines, who's been Leonard's business attorney for the past year, will reportedly meet with the Raptors in the coming days.
Leonard was previously represented by agent Mitch Frankel and Leonard's uncle and business adviser, Dennis Robertson. Frankel was Leonard's representative in his previous contract negotiations with the Clippers.
The Clippers are still being investigated for allegedly circumventing the salary cap to pay Leonard extra money. Both Leonard and the Clippers have denied allegations that he had a $28-million "no-show" endorsement deal with Aspiration, a now-defunct green banking company. Robertson was reportedly among those the NBA interviewed in its investigation.
Leonard is entering the final season of a three-year, $149.5-million contract. He's eligible to receive a two-year, $123.7-million extension from the Raptors, according to Bobby Marks of ESPN.
Prior to being traded, Leonard communicated that he'd only sign an extension with Toronto, and he envisions ending his career with the Raptors, sources told Charania.
Leonard averaged a career-high 27.9 points on 50.5% shooting across 65 appearances. He won Finals MVP honors after leading Toronto to its first and only title in 2019.
