Paul George Joins 76ers After Contract Fallout With LA Clippers
Paul George expressed his reluctance to leave the Los Angeles Clippers, feeling compelled to move after receiving an unsatisfactory initial contract offer. Last week, George secured a four-year maximum contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, reportedly worth $212 million. Despite this significant deal, the nine-time All-Star's departure stemmed from failed negotiations with the Clippers over a new contract."I never wanted to leave L.A.," George shared on his podcast, 'Podcast P with Paul George'. "L.A. is home; this is where I wanted to finish at, and I wanted to work as hard as possible to win one in L.A. That was the goal, to be here and be committed to L.A." However, he felt disrespected by the initial offer from the Clippers.George revealed that the first offer was a two-year deal worth $60 million. "So I'm like, whoa, whoa, whoa. That's crazy! I'm like, 'Naw, I'm not signing that'," he said. The Clippers had given Kawhi Leonard a three-year $150 million extension but refused to offer George the same terms if it included a no-trade clause."Then I hear wind of what they're going to give Kawhi," George added. "'Just give me what Kawhi got.' Y'all view us the same. We came here together; we want to finish this s*** together." However, the Clippers were unwilling to match Leonard's deal for George.The guard played 74 regular-season games last season—the most since joining the Clippers in 2019—but acknowledged that his partnership with Leonard didn't go as planned due to health issues within the team. "We couldn't remain healthy as a unit," George said.Despite these challenges, George believed he had earned a similar contract to Leonard's three-year $150 million deal with a no-trade clause. "I thought I did enough to earn that," he stated. But when the Clippers didn't agree, it led to a stalemate.Ultimately, George decided it was time for a change. "I love Steve [Ballmer], I love Lawrence [Frank], but at that point, it didn't even feel right to come back with that type of energy and be comfortable playing back in L.A."
hes here and hes perfect.
Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) July 8, 2024
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