Kawhi Anthony Leonard’s impressive NBA career has seen him play for the San Antonio Spurs, the Toronto Raptors, and the Los Angeles Clippers. He has emerged as a two-time NBA champion, a five-time All-Star, and a five-time member of the All-NBA Team. He has been credited as being one of the powerhouses behind the success of the Clippers.
As a result, Leonard and the Clippers have agreed to a three-year, $153 million contract extension. The deal, which kicks in next season, will see Leonard earn $52 million in 2024-25 and then a little more than $50 million over both of the next two seasons. The NBA star had a $48.7 million player option for next season, according to a report, which added that this new deal will give him a small raise.
His professional journey started with the 2011 NBA draft where he was selected 15th overall by the Indiana Pacers. He was then traded to the San Antonio Spurs, leading the Spurs to two NBA Championship Finals.
He was recognized as NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2015 and made his debut in the NBA All-Star Game in 2016. He was subsequently traded to the Toronto Raptors in 2018 after seven seasons with the Spurs. In 2019, he joined the Los Angeles Clippers as a free agent on a three-year, $103 million contract.
Beyond his success on the court, Leonard is also an entrepreneur with businesses. Here are four businesses he has shares in, as per Billionaires.Africa.
X2 Performance
The NBA player has significant shares in X2 Performance, an energy drink company. He got in through an equity deal. Per the deal, he has two seats on the company’s board of directors.
His investment with the company dates back to 2020 when X2 Performance lured him in a Series D funding round that raised roughly $14 million.
Real Estate
In addition to the X2 Performance, he is also into real estate. He reportedly owns three luxurious homes in California, worth $37 million. He acquired a home for 13.3 million on more than five acres of land in Rancho Santa Fe. Similarly, he bought a $17 million home in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles. In addition, he has a home in a $6.7-million penthouse at the Ritz Carlton next to Staples Center.
Shoes
Leonard has a multi-year sneaker deal with New Balance. The deal with New Balance was struck after long-term extension talks with Jordan Brand came to a dead end. In 2019, his first sneaker was released and it sold out in Canada in under a minute during its debut ahead of an important game against the Sixers.
