Clippers’ Kennard agrees to four-year, $64M extension

FILE – Luke Kennard #5 of the Detroit Pistons plays against the San Antonio Spurs at Little Caesars Arena on December 01, 2019 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit won the game 132-98. Gregory Shamus/Getty Images/AFP

Luke Kennard is coming off a career year and now he appears to have the security of a long-term contract extension.

The 24-year-old guard, who was traded from the Detroit Pistons to the Los Angeles Clippers in a three-team trade also involving the Brooklyn Nets on Nov. 19, agreed Monday to a multi-year extension with Los Angeles.

Terms were not disclosed but ESPN reported it’s a four-year, $64 million deal.

“Today is a great day. I couldn’t be more excited to play for the LA Clippers, and am thankful for Steve Ballmer, my teammates, and the entire Clippers organization for giving me the opportunity to be part of this world-class franchise,” Kennard said in a statement. “I am inspired by Steve’s unwavering commitment to winning and look forward to contributing to the team’s success on the court.”

The extension came on deadline day for players eligible for rookie scale extensions.

Kennard missed much of last season with knee problems, but in 28 games (25 starts) with the Pistons he set career highs in scoring average (15.8), assists per game (4.1) and average minutes (32.9). In his first preseason with the Clippers, he has averaged 7.3 points per game and shot 42.1 percent from the field in three games.

The 6-foot-5, 206-pound Kennard was the No. 12 pick overall by Detroit in the 2017 NBA Draft.

The Clippers open the regular season against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday.