2019 NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard signed his contract with the Los Angeles Clippers but it's different from what had been reported earlier – according to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Leonard signed a three-year, 103-million-U.S.-dollar deal, with a player option in the third year.

This has made things totally different, not just for Leonard, but possibly for the whole league. Firstly, Paul George also has player option in his three-year contract in 2021 summer. Therefore, if the Clippers cannot make it work for the two super stars and win a championship in the next two years, both Leonard and George can choose to become free agents in 2021, departing for somewhere.

Secondly, it has given teams that do not have enough stars more reasons to clear their cap space, pick quality role players and wait for their chance to rise. At least now it's safe to put the names of the following teams on that waiting list: the New York Knicks, the Toronto Raptors and the Atlanta Hawks.

Thirdly, Leonard will benefit from the new contract too, as long as he stays healthy. Having played eight seasons in the league, Leonard only needs another two years before he meets the standard to sign a Designated Veteran Player Rule (DVPR) contract, which can be a delicious four-year, 196-million-U.S.-dollar deal.

However, this was not definitely not good news for the Clippers, who sent too many future first-round picks to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for George. If the team lose him and Leonard after two years, it will take a painfully long time for them to recover.

Another two contracts that included interesting new details were signed by Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant with the Brooklyn Nets: Both will have a player option in their fourth season, which means that the two are likely to hit the free-agency market again in 2022 summer. By then, Durant will be 33 years old, but if he can stay healthy, he will be hopeful of signing the last maximum contract of his career.