How much is Robert Covington’s new contract with the LA Clippers?
The Los Angeles Clippers and veteran small forward Robert Covington have come to an agreement on a two-year contract extension worth $24 million.
Veteran forward Robert Covington will be staying with the Los Angeles Clippers a little bit longer.
The 31-year-old has agreed to a two-year extension of his contract worth $24 million with the franchise, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Covington was scheduled to join free agency in the offseason, but he was eligible to sign for a maximum of two years with the Clippers as indicated by the league’s collective bargaining agreement.
With the new contract, the team’s luxury tax bill for the 2022-23 season now leaps from $17.8 million to $54.9 million.
Covington further beefs up defense
Covington’s extension, along with the impending full-time return of star players Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, will make the Clippers a formidable championship contender next season. Leonard was out this entire season due to an injured right ACL, while George was sidelined for a few months after he hurt his elbow in December.
The trio of Covington and the two NBA All-Stars comprise a key unit of one of the most solid defenses in the NBA. Covington had an impressive performance in his short stint with the franchise, becoming the only player this season to record 90 steals and 90 blocks, per ESPN Stats and Information.
Covington’s offensive talents
He has also exhibited his prowess in offense. The Tennessee State alum tallied a career-high 43 points in their 153-119 domination of the Milwaukee Bucks on April 1. He averaged 10.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game since the Clippers acquired him from the Portland Trail Blazers in February.
The team narrowly missed the playoffs, when they were eliminated in the play-in tournament by the New Orleans Pelicans.