Because the weekend, Paul George had already advised his workforce that he was in talks with one other workforce. Initially, it was reported that he had held talks to change into the Warriors’ subsequent star, however in the end the 76ers emerged because the frontrunners to land the veteran.
One of many first on the scene was ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, who assured that the participant’s agent, Aaron Mintz, had shared the information with Clippers president Lawrence Frank on Sunday night time. Following this, the Los Angeles membership introduced that George was prepared to maneuver on.
“Paul has knowledgeable us that he can be signing his subsequent contract with one other workforce,” the membership mentioned in an announcement. “Paul is an amazing expertise and an elite two-way participant. We really feel privileged to have spent 5 years with him, throughout which era he went to 3 All-Star Video games, made probably the most 3-pointers in franchise historical past and helped lead the workforce to a spot it has by no means been earlier than. His performances in Video games 5 and 6 in opposition to Utah in 2021 is not going to be forgotten by anybody related to the Clippers.”
BREAKING: Free agent F Paul George has agreed to a four-year, $212 million max contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, sources inform ESPN. George made the dedication in a gathering with Sixers officers and can return east to affix Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey of their pursuit of an NBA title. photo.twitter.com/pkCfGu3hyp
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 1, 2024
The franchise recalled the chance it took when pairing two stars in L.A. 5 years in the past. “We made numerous trades to pair Paul and Kawhi (Leonard) and in return we had 5 seasons of competitors. Although we did not obtain our final purpose, we recognize the chance we had with Paul,” the assertion mentioned.
In accordance with sources, Paul’s choice to maneuver to Philadelphia comes after what his former group describes as a “vital” lull in contract negotiations, because the ahead was eligible for a most four-year, $221 million extension final season.
The Clippers’ entrance workplace even admitted to being optimistic about retaining George after agreeing to a three-year, $150 million extension with co-star Leonard in January. Nonetheless, it seems the 2 sides have been “far aside.”
Now the membership has understood that they should take a measured method to the choice of the squad across the newest collective bargaining settlement. “Going into this low season, our squad was put collectively [with] “Three nice gamers, 33 and older, two of whom may change into free brokers,” they mentioned within the assertion. “We needed to retain them on contracts that may enable us, throughout the constraints of the brand new CBA, to proceed to construct the workforce.”
The Clippers are utilizing George’s failed negotiations for instance of the way to method their future negotiations following the brand new CBA guidelines
Provided that the CBA has change into too strict for taxpaying groups just like the Clippers, the workforce mentioned they now have extra flexibility after dropping Paul and can search for extra alternatives to stay a playoff contender alongside Leonard and Harden as they get a brand new house within the new Intuit Dome in Inglewood.
“We spent months negotiating with Paul and his consultant to discover a contract that made sense for each events, and we have been left far aside. The hole was vital. We perceive and respect Paul’s choice to look elsewhere for his subsequent contract. We explored an opt-in and commerce state of affairs, however that may have left us in an analogous place underneath the brand new CBA, with little or no asset worth to justify the restrictions,” the LA workforce mentioned.
Whereas they now have extra flexibility in negotiating taxes and salaries this summer time, the Clippers made it clear how a lot they may miss their veteran capturing guard, a person the followers and the franchise will all the time keep in mind.
“We’ll miss Paul,” the workforce mentioned. “On the similar time, we’re excited concerning the alternatives we have now now been given, together with higher flexibility underneath the brand new CBA. Kawhi is an All-NBA participant and we imagine [Ty] Lue is the perfect coach within the league. We’ll subject a extremely aggressive workforce this season and use our organizational benefits to draw prime expertise to the Intuit Dome sooner or later.”