Clippers offered Paul George less than max in extension talks
The Clippers want to retain George as one of their foundational core pieces going into the opening of Intuit Dome later in 2024 and beyond, but extension talks with the nine-time All-Star broke down earlier this season with the organization hoping he’d take less than a max contract in discussions, league sources told HoopsHype. The Clippers signed Kawhi Leonard to a three-year, $153 million extension on January 11. Ideally, the organization didn’t want to go above that contract to extend the 34-year-old George, with Leonard viewed as the team’s best player, league sources told HoopsHype. However, the Clippers may not have a choice and be forced to pay George a max contract or risk losing him as he’s expected to command significant interest on the free agent market, with the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic already being linked to the versatile forward.
Source: HoopsHype
Source: HoopsHype
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
Not long after the Clippers were eliminated, Paul George and James Harden said they haven’t thought about their future yet. Asked if he can see himself with Kawhi Leonard and Harden long term, PG replied, “Yeah. If it works that way, absolutely.” espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 4:08 AM
Not long after the Clippers were eliminated, Paul George and James Harden said they haven’t thought about their future yet. Asked if he can see himself with Kawhi Leonard and Harden long term, PG replied, “Yeah. If it works that way, absolutely.” espn.com/nba/story/_/id… – 4:08 AM
Michael Scotto @MikeAScotto
Paul George on whether he views himself with Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, and the Clippers long-term: “Yeah. If it works that way, absolutely.” pic.twitter.com/VLnUqW7T4R – 1:59 AM
Paul George on whether he views himself with Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, and the Clippers long-term: “Yeah. If it works that way, absolutely.” pic.twitter.com/VLnUqW7T4R – 1:59 AM
Mirjam Swanson @MirjamSwanson
Paul George said Kawhi Leonard — sidelined with knee inflammation — “wanted to be out there, wanted to be with us… it was more staff keeping him back.” pic.twitter.com/AqeUxlkevE – 1:40 AM
Paul George said Kawhi Leonard — sidelined with knee inflammation — “wanted to be out there, wanted to be with us… it was more staff keeping him back.” pic.twitter.com/AqeUxlkevE – 1:40 AM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Asked Paul George about Russell Westbrook with both players having player options pic.twitter.com/nnyI2BrAiy – 1:31 AM
Asked Paul George about Russell Westbrook with both players having player options pic.twitter.com/nnyI2BrAiy – 1:31 AM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
🆕 @TheAthletic with @sam_amick
Kawhi Leonard under contract
Paul George/Russell Westbrook POs
James Harden free agent
Tyronn Lue business
And a Clippers team that has little leverage as they go Intuit.
theathletic.com/5470867/2024/0… – 1:28 AM
🆕 @TheAthletic with @sam_amick
Kawhi Leonard under contract
Paul George/Russell Westbrook POs
James Harden free agent
Tyronn Lue business
And a Clippers team that has little leverage as they go Intuit.
theathletic.com/5470867/2024/0… – 1:28 AM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Paul George on coming back, after going long on continuity in the West: “Yeah, if it works out that way.” pic.twitter.com/7wqagT59yA – 1:24 AM
Paul George on coming back, after going long on continuity in the West: “Yeah, if it works out that way.” pic.twitter.com/7wqagT59yA – 1:24 AM
Sam Amick @sam_amick
Inside another lost Clippers season, and why sources say owner Steve Ballmer wants to run it back again with this superstar trio, w/ @LawMurrayTheNU
Intel on what lies ahead for Paul George, James Harden, Ty Lue, and…Russell Westbrook, at @TheAthletic
theathletic.com/5470867/2024/0… – 1:22 AM
Inside another lost Clippers season, and why sources say owner Steve Ballmer wants to run it back again with this superstar trio, w/ @LawMurrayTheNU
Intel on what lies ahead for Paul George, James Harden, Ty Lue, and…Russell Westbrook, at @TheAthletic
theathletic.com/5470867/2024/0… – 1:22 AM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
A lot of Paul George post.
Just gonna fire away here. He has a lot to contemplate. pic.twitter.com/8iNxWmG8mE – 1:16 AM
A lot of Paul George post.
Just gonna fire away here. He has a lot to contemplate. pic.twitter.com/8iNxWmG8mE – 1:16 AM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Paul George says he can’t answer exactly how Clippers can be better while acknowledging age. Adds that Kawhi was frustrated with not being able to play and that staff did not allow Kawhi to get out there after Game 4. pic.twitter.com/M9o5anBGJ1 – 1:10 AM
Paul George says he can’t answer exactly how Clippers can be better while acknowledging age. Adds that Kawhi was frustrated with not being able to play and that staff did not allow Kawhi to get out there after Game 4. pic.twitter.com/M9o5anBGJ1 – 1:10 AM
Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
James Harden said he sees what he, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George can do when healthy. But he says health and “availability” is massive for the Clippers. – 1:07 AM
James Harden said he sees what he, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George can do when healthy. But he says health and “availability” is massive for the Clippers. – 1:07 AM
Ohm Youngmisuk @NotoriousOHM
Ty Lue says once again he’s left to wonder “what if” the Clippers were able to stay healthy and have a healthy Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. He credits Dallas and Jason Kidd. He felt the Clippers ran out of gas in the second half after Lue leaned on starters heavy. – 12:45 AM
Ty Lue says once again he’s left to wonder “what if” the Clippers were able to stay healthy and have a healthy Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. He credits Dallas and Jason Kidd. He felt the Clippers ran out of gas in the second half after Lue leaned on starters heavy. – 12:45 AM
Michael Scotto @MikeAScotto
Reporting on free agency for Paul George and James Harden, the futures of coach Ty Lue and Clippers management, PJ Tucker’s player option, and more on @hoopshype. hoopshype.com/lists/clippers… – 12:25 AM
Reporting on free agency for Paul George and James Harden, the futures of coach Ty Lue and Clippers management, PJ Tucker’s player option, and more on @hoopshype. hoopshype.com/lists/clippers… – 12:25 AM
Mike Curtis @MikeACurtis2
End of the 3rd quarter: #Mavs 87, #Clippers 72.
Doncic: 25 pts, 6 rebs, 10 asts
Irving: 15 pts, 6 rebs, 4 asts
Washington: 14 pts, 5 rebs, 2 asts
Gafford: 13 pts, 5 rebs
Paul George: 18 pts, 9 rebs, 4 asts – 11:44 PM
End of the 3rd quarter: #Mavs 87, #Clippers 72.
Doncic: 25 pts, 6 rebs, 10 asts
Irving: 15 pts, 6 rebs, 4 asts
Washington: 14 pts, 5 rebs, 2 asts
Gafford: 13 pts, 5 rebs
Paul George: 18 pts, 9 rebs, 4 asts – 11:44 PM
Dan Favale @danfavale
paul george is playing with hands-in-his-pockets, staring-down-at-the-floor energy – 11:42 PM
paul george is playing with hands-in-his-pockets, staring-down-at-the-floor energy – 11:42 PM
Mike Curtis @MikeACurtis2
Halftime: #Mavs 52, #Clippers 52.
Doncic: 18 pts, 2 rebs, 7 asts (5-15 FG; 0-7 3PT; 8-9 FT)
Washington: 11 pts, 2 rebs
Gafford: 8 pts, 4 rebs
Paul George: 14 pts, 6 rebs – 10:59 PM
Halftime: #Mavs 52, #Clippers 52.
Doncic: 18 pts, 2 rebs, 7 asts (5-15 FG; 0-7 3PT; 8-9 FT)
Washington: 11 pts, 2 rebs
Gafford: 8 pts, 4 rebs
Paul George: 14 pts, 6 rebs – 10:59 PM
Mike Curtis @MikeACurtis2
Markieff Morris just called Kyrie Irving to the sideline for a brief chat while Paul George shot free throws. – 10:16 PM
Markieff Morris just called Kyrie Irving to the sideline for a brief chat while Paul George shot free throws. – 10:16 PM
Brad Turner @BA_Turner
Clippers starters
Paul George
P.J. Tucker
Ivica Zubac
Terance Mann
James Harden – 9:03 PM
Clippers starters
Paul George
P.J. Tucker
Ivica Zubac
Terance Mann
James Harden – 9:03 PM
Mirjam Swanson @MirjamSwanson
Who predicted it:
Clippers’ starting five tonight:
Paul George
P.J. Tucker
Ivica Zubac
Terance Mann
James Harden – 9:01 PM
Who predicted it:
Clippers’ starting five tonight:
Paul George
P.J. Tucker
Ivica Zubac
Terance Mann
James Harden – 9:01 PM
Evan Sidery @esidery
Paul George is the Sixers’ top target this offseason, per @WindhorstESPN.
The Clippers have been unwilling to offer George a max contract, which Philadelphia appears prepared to do.
Philadelphia will have close to $60 million in cap space. pic.twitter.com/NDO7MTlX1T – 5:50 PM
Paul George is the Sixers’ top target this offseason, per @WindhorstESPN.
The Clippers have been unwilling to offer George a max contract, which Philadelphia appears prepared to do.
Philadelphia will have close to $60 million in cap space. pic.twitter.com/NDO7MTlX1T – 5:50 PM
Evan Sidery @esidery
Paul George is the Sixers’ top target this offseason, per @WindhorstESPN on @GetUpESPN.
The Clippers have been unwilling to offer George a max contract, which Philadelphia appears prepared to do.
Philadelphia will have close to $60 million in cap space. pic.twitter.com/Qqekwyq7Bk – 5:48 PM
Paul George is the Sixers’ top target this offseason, per @WindhorstESPN on @GetUpESPN.
The Clippers have been unwilling to offer George a max contract, which Philadelphia appears prepared to do.
Philadelphia will have close to $60 million in cap space. pic.twitter.com/Qqekwyq7Bk – 5:48 PM
Dave Early @DavidEarly
ESPN rumors- Sixers to offer Paul George a max? Jimmy Butler, Brandon Ingram names to watch
libertyballers.com/2024/5/3/24148… – 3:03 PM
ESPN rumors- Sixers to offer Paul George a max? Jimmy Butler, Brandon Ingram names to watch
libertyballers.com/2024/5/3/24148… – 3:03 PM
Barry Jackson @flasportsbuzz
As Windy said, 76ers’ priority appears to be simply signing Paul George into cap space if Clippers continue to refuse to offer George a max extension. He said to watch Heat with 76ers as next possibility. But Heat has philosophically opposed trading its best players for future… – 9:52 AM
As Windy said, 76ers’ priority appears to be simply signing Paul George into cap space if Clippers continue to refuse to offer George a max extension. He said to watch Heat with 76ers as next possibility. But Heat has philosophically opposed trading its best players for future… – 9:52 AM
Get Up @GetUpESPN
“I think the Knicks and Sixers aren’t done competing with each other.”
—@alanhahn thinks the free agency race to land Paul George could be the next Knicks vs. Sixers battle 👀 pic.twitter.com/tAF3x8tcsj – 9:47 AM
“I think the Knicks and Sixers aren’t done competing with each other.”
—@alanhahn thinks the free agency race to land Paul George could be the next Knicks vs. Sixers battle 👀 pic.twitter.com/tAF3x8tcsj – 9:47 AM
Get Up @GetUpESPN
“The player at the top of their list is Paul George.”
@WindhorstESPN thinks the Sixers are going to give PG-13 a max contract offer in free agency, and will look to monitor Jimmy Butler and Brandon Ingram’s situations 👀 pic.twitter.com/bRVVY1XeeO – 9:03 AM
“The player at the top of their list is Paul George.”
@WindhorstESPN thinks the Sixers are going to give PG-13 a max contract offer in free agency, and will look to monitor Jimmy Butler and Brandon Ingram’s situations 👀 pic.twitter.com/bRVVY1XeeO – 9:03 AM
More on this storyline
Following the Clippers’ 114-101 loss in Game 6 at Dallas, George was asked if he sees himself with the Clippers long term alongside Leonard and Harden. “Yeah,” George said. “If it works that way, absolutely.” After the Clippers’ season came to an end, George and Harden said they haven’t really thought about their contracts yet. “I don’t even know,” said Harden, who finished with 16 points, 13 assists and 7 rebounds but missed all six of his 3-point attempts on Friday. “You are asking a lot of questions that I don’t have the answer to or haven’t even thought about.” -via ESPN / May 4, 2024
However, the Clippers may not have a choice and be forced to pay George a max contract or risk losing him as he’s expected to command significant interest on the free agent market, with the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic already being linked to the versatile forward. One scenario the 76ers have envisioned this offseason is a trio of Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and George, league sources told HoopsHype. However, some around the league wonder if George would be willing to relocate across the country to the colder weather and if the Sixers will be used as potential leverage during free agency negotiations. -via HoopsHype / May 4, 2024
Even with the Clippers’ latest disappointing finish — a second consecutive first-round flop that followed their playoff absence back in 2022 — they are expected to make strong efforts to re-sign both Paul George and James Harden. The thinking, team sources say, is that a team built around the oft-injured Leonard simply must have as much elite talent as possible as a way of mitigating the seemingly inevitable injuries that have come to define this Clippers era. -via The Athletic / May 4, 2024