Around the NBA: Kawhi inks four-year, $176 million deal, Nets add Korver to coaching staff

Kawhi Leonard signs four-year, $176.3 million deal with L.A. Clippers

Kawhi Leonard has signed a four-year, $176.3 million deal to return to the Los Angeles Clippers, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Leonard had a $36 million player option for the 2021-22 season, which he of course turned down. However, it had largely been suspected that Leonard never planned to leave the Clippers in free agency but rather secure a new deal. That’s exactly how things played out, as Leonard has guaranteed himself a nice chunk of cash over the next three seasons — and a player option for a fourth season, per Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports.

Over his illustrious 10-year career so far, he’s appeared in five NBA All-Star games, has been named to the All-NBA first team three times and the All-NBA second team twice, and has been recognized as the Defensive Player of the Year twice. More importantly, he’s got one ring on each hand while being named Finals MVP in both championships. Kawhi just recently turned 30 years old (June 29th), so he’s still got a lot left in the tank.

Nets hire Kyle Korver as player development assistant coach

Former Sixer Kyle Korver has landed a new gig post NBA retirement, taking the position of player development assistant coach with the Brooklyn Nets on Steve Nash’s staff according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Korver’s never coached in the NBA before, so the jury’s still out on whether this is a good move. But I’d like this move if I were a Nets fan. Korver is only one year removed from the NBA, so he’s got a contemporary understanding of the game and how a player adds value in today’s pace-and-space style of play. He’s always been a role player and I can appreciate the idea of developing players to fill a specific role. Finally, he’s one of the greatest pure shooters of all time, so he has to have some helpful tips in that department.

(Of course, what’s good for the Nets is bad for the Sixers.)

Raptors sign Isaac Bonga

The Toronto Raptors have signed Isaac Bonga, according to Blake Murphy of The Athletic.

Bonga was initially drafted by the Sixers on behalf of the Los Angeles Lakers, with the Sixers receiving a 2019 2nd round pick and cash considerations to send his rights over to the Lakers. I was a huge fan of Bonga as a prospect, but he’s really struggled to find a role for himself since entering the league. The Lakers moved Bonga to the Washington Wizards after one season, a casualty of the Anthony Davis trade. With the Wizards, Bonga showed defensive flashes but was never able to put it together on the offensive end.

I love this signing for the Raptors. Bonga may not make the final roster. But standing 6’8”, possessing defensive tools, and displaying some ability to run the point, he’s a low risk option with intriguing upside. The Raptors are known for their ability to develop players, so this seems like a match made in heaven.

Bucks re-sign Thanasis Antetokounmpo

The Milwaukee Bucks have re-signed Thanasis Antetokounmpo according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

Thanasis is of course the older brother of Bucks’ superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Moving on.

Rockets’ Jalen Green expected to miss remainder of Summer League

Jalen Green, the no. 2 overall pick in last month’s NBA Draft, is expected to miss the remainder of Summer League with a hamstring injury according to Ben DuBose of Yahoo Sports.

More from DuBose:

Green had started Thursday’s game with 13 points (3-of-5 on 3-pointers) and 3 rebounds in just 12 minutes, but he grimaced after a shot attempt late in the second quarter and struggled to get back on defense.

Within minutes, the Rockets issued an update that Green was done for the night with right hamstring soreness. In a third-quarter interview with NBA TV, which was broadcasting the game, head coach Stephen Silas was asked whether Green’s removal was due to caution or if it might be something more concerning than that. Silas responded:

“It’s pretty much caution. He just felt a little tightness, so we’re going to be extra careful and have him back there getting some treatment. We have two days off between this game and our next (on Sunday), so we’ll see how it goes. It’s hard for those guys. They weren’t playing a lot leading up to this, just individual workouts, and now they’re playing every other day. So yeah, we’re going to be cautious with that.”

During the third quarter, Green was able to rejoin his summer league teammates on the Houston bench.

You never like to see players get injured in Summer League. After all, the games don’t really matter — unless of course you are a Sixers fan leveraging way too much emotional capital in a rookie who you expect will deliver the franchise to the promised land. Fortunately, this sounds like Green will be a-okay.