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, $64mn 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 % 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 opened the regular season against the Los Angeles Lakers yesterday.


Magic reach extensions with Isaac, Fultz
The Orlando Magic have signed guard Markelle Fultz and forward Jonathan Isaac to rookie extensions, the team announced Monday.
Isaac’s is a four-year, $80mn extension and Fultz’s is for three years, $50mn, ESPN reported.
“We are thrilled to keep both Markelle (Fultz) and Jonathan (Isaac) in a Magic uniform,” Magic president of basketball operations Jeff Weltman said in a statement. “They both have a very bright future and they mean a lot to our organisation, both on and off the court.”
Fultz averaged 12.1 points in 72 games (60 starts) last season with Orlando, adding a team-high 5.1 assists in 28 minutes per game. He was tied for 30th in the NBA in steals and 32nd in assists.
Taken No. 1 overall in the 2017 NBA Draft by Philadelphia, Fultz has appeared in 105 career regular season games (75 starts) with the 76ers and Orlando.
Isaac played in 34 games (32 starts) last season, averaging 11.9 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. Isaac missed 39 games last season due to injury, including 31 games due to a bone contusion of his left knee that he sustained on Jan 1.
Isaac returned during the NBA restart at Disney, but then suffered a torn left anterior cruciate ligament on August 2 vs. Sacramento.
Isaac missed the NBA Playoffs and underwent successful surgery on August 7.