As the NBA offseason heats up, the LA Clippers find themselves at a critical juncture with star forward Paul George. George faces a crucial decision on whether to exercise his $48.8 million player option by the upcoming Saturday deadline. While the Clippers remain hopeful of retaining their All-Star, the uncertainty of his future hangs over the franchise.
Clippers' Contract Offer
The Clippers have positioned themselves to offer George a substantial contract extension, with a potential four-year deal worth up to $221 million on the table. Nevertheless, if no agreement is reached by the deadline, George has the option to test the free agency waters. Even if he opts into the final year of his contract, the prospect of exploring trade opportunities with other teams looms large.
George's Value to the Team
Lawrence Frank, the Clippers' President of Basketball Operations, expressed the organization's desire to keep George on the roster. "We love Paul. We very much want to retain Paul, but we also very much understand and respect the fact this is a business," Frank stated.
Highlighting George's contributions, Frank continued, "We hope Paul's decision is to be here. He's been awesome. He's been an All-Star. He's one of the best two-way players in the league. He's a terrific person. He's got a great family, so we hope he's here but also respect the fact that if he chooses to opt out, that's his choice. He's earned it and we'll see how things play out."
Impact of the New CBA
The new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) has introduced additional complexities for teams looking to build sustainable rosters, particularly when their marquee players are in their 30s. Frank acknowledged these challenges, "This is a business, and the reality of the new CBA impacts teams like us. When your better players are in their 30s and you're trying to build a sustainable roster, it impacts it."
Frank shed light on the constraints posed by the CBA, stating, "Like if there was no CBA, with [owner] Steve Ballmer, it would be carte blanche. With the new CBA, it's not even about the money as it is how are you going to build a sustainable roster, maintain your tools to have transactional flexibility? And with that comes really, really hard decisions."
Other Roster Moves
While George's future remains uncertain, the Clippers have been active in other areas of the roster. The team recently signed Kawhi Leonard to a three-year, $150-million extension in January, securing another core player.
In the draft, the Clippers added Minnesota guard Cam Christie with the 46th pick in the second round, aiming to infuse youth and potential into their lineup. Additionally, the Clippers are in discussions with free agent James Harden and his agents, Mike Silverman and Troy Payne, regarding a possible move to Los Angeles.
Frank shared the organization's stance on Harden, "We think James has been terrific for us. We hope he's had a great experience while he has been here, and we hope he decides to continue to be here. ... We very much want James to remain a Clipper and hope he decides to do the same."
As the clock ticks down to Saturday's deadline, all eyes are on Paul George and the Clippers' next moves. Will George commit to the Clippers long-term, or will the allure of free agency or a potential trade take him elsewhere? One thing is certain: the outcome will significantly shape the Clippers' strategy for the coming season and beyond.