Dunleavy signs contract extension

Finally completing a deal agreed to more than two months ago, Coach Mike Dunleavy signed a four-year contract extension Wednesday that elevated him among the highest-paid coaches in the NBA.

The Clippers did not reveal financial terms during a news conference before a 105-86 loss to the Utah Jazz at Staples Center, but multiple team sources said Dunleavy would be paid about $5.6 million a season for the length of the deal. He has a salary of $2.5 million this season in the final year of his current contract.

Excluding coaches who also have other player-personnel titles or part ownership of teams, Dunleavy becomes “one of the top four or five” paid coaches in the league, said Andy Roeser, executive vice president.

After Dunleavy and owner Donald T. Sterling reached a handshake agreement on the team’s trip to Russia in October, Roeser negotiated the details of the contract on behalf of the team. With his signature on the contract, Dunleavy said he’s determined to help the Clippers reach new heights.

“Mr. Sterling has been behind our staff our whole time here,” Dunleavy said. “Whenever we’ve needed something, he stepped up and got it done. We feel we can accomplish a lot in the future, and we’re in this position because of him.”

Dunleavy declined to discuss his talks with Sterling on the nine-day trip to Moscow, but team sources said he and Sterling agreed to the framework of the four-year deal signed Wednesday. Shortly after shaking hands with Dunleavy, Sterling informed Roeser of the parameters of the deal and instructed him to get it completed.

So what took so long?

Well, Roeser is responsible for the team’s finances, and he’s thorough at his job, sources said. The Clippers are highly profitable and in good position with the salary cap because of Roeser’s commitment to detail.

Regardless of Sterling’s willingness to do what it took to retain Dunleavy, Roeser moved to get the best deal possible for the organization.

Roeser and Dunleavy’s agent, Warren LeGarie, weeks ago reached an agreement on the structure of the base salary of the contract, but talks stalled on Dunleavy’s playoff bonuses.

After that issue was resolved, the sides reached an impasse on the amount of deferred money in the contract. In the end, both sides made concessions, and the Clippers rewarded one of the architects of their best season.

Players were pleased to learn Dunleavy would be remaining with the team.

“I’ve been around this league for 14 seasons, I’ve seen a lot of coaches and I’ve played for a lot of coaches, and Mike Dunleavy is one of the best,” Sam Cassell said. “In my opinion, this is a good day for this organization.”

jason.reid@latimes.com