The writing has been on the wall for months.
Barring something unexpected coming into play, it sure seems like Paul George will leave the Los Angeles Clippers in free agency, potentially for greener pastures with the Philadelphia 76ers.
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the timing of Kawhi Leonard’s latest contract extension may have set George’s Clippers departure into motion. That’s because when the Clippers re-signed Leonard, effectively committing to him for the long term, they reportedly never even told George about their plans.
Under normal circumstances, I fail to see why this is a big deal. What they plan to do with Leonard shouldn’t necessarily be privy to George.
When the Clippers have been simultaneously trying to negotiate with George while probably saying they have to fit him on their books under their terms, I can then see the vision:
"When they signed Kawhi [Leonard] to that deal, they never told Paul George about it." 😳 @WindhorstESPN on Paul George's negotiations with the Clippers 👀 pic.twitter.com/x9ASFP7iQ1
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 30, 2024
NBA stars are driven by ego.
If you want to appease your franchise guys, you have to make it seem like they’re wanted and appreciated. I’m not entirely sure I would’ve taken a lack of knowledge about Leonard’s extension so personally, but George is a perennial All-Star caliber player. He’s a guy who likely wants another max deal at 34.
Every gesture probably counts here.
