Paul George's move from the LA Clippers to the Philadelphia 76ers marks a significant shift in the NBA landscape, with implications for both franchises' future strategies and ambitions. The four-year, $212 million max deal he signed with the 76ers signified a substantial commitment, making ripples across the league.
For the Clippers, George's departure was expected by head coach Tyronn Lue, who remarked, "Paul George's departure to the 76ers was 'no surprise.'" This sentiment, however, did not make the adjustments any less profound for the Clippers organization.
The Adding and Subtracting Game
In the lead-up to George's exit, the Clippers engaged in extensive contract negotiations. Kawhi Leonard, George's co-star, noted, "We talked contract negotiations a lot," underscoring the intricate discussions that took place. The Clippers made progressively higher offers, culminating in a point where George was initially willing to accept a three-year, $150 million extension. However, the refusal to include a no-trade clause emerged as a sticking point, and the discussions ultimately did not align with George's aspirations.
Complicating matters, the Clippers faced internal challenges balancing their financial flexibility while still aiming to assemble a championship-contending roster. Lawrence Frank, the Clippers' president of basketball operations, commented, "The Clippers could not have added or kept supporting players with a bigger deal for George."
Mixed Emotions at the Top
Steve Ballmer, the Clippers' owner, expressed conflicting feelings about George's departure. "I love Paul. Paul is a great human being and I've really enjoyed getting to know Paul's family. So on a personal level, I hated it. I hated it," Ballmer confessed. Yet, from a basketball perspective, he acknowledged the need for evolution under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). "Paul is a fantastic player, future Hall of Famer. But we knew we needed to continue to get better. And with the new CBA, what tools, what flexibility [can be restricted], we made Paul what I consider a great offer. But it was a great offer in terms of us thinking about how to win championships. It wasn't what Paul wanted."
Reshaping the Roster
With George's exit, the Clippers swiftly recalibrated their roster. The team has retooled around Kawhi Leonard and James Harden, with notable acquisitions including Derrick Jones Jr., Nic Batum, Kevin Porter Jr., Kris Dunn, and Mo Bamba. One of the more significant moves involved trading Russell Westbrook to Utah in exchange for Kris Dunn. The Jazz, expected to waive Westbrook, likely facilitating his move to Denver.
Ballmer reflected on the strategic shifts necessary under the new CBA. "Guys like me who've been very willing to pay the luxury tax—it's not about the luxury tax anymore. It's about the penalties in terms of how you get better."
A New Chapter
As the Clippers continue to adapt, they're preparing to move into the Intuit Dome, a state-of-the-art arena set to become their new home. Despite the high-profile departure of George, Ballmer remains optimistic about the team's potential. "I think we're going to be a very, very good team. We're going to contend, we'll see how far it takes us."
Comparing the Clippers' strategy to that of other successful teams, Ballmer noted, "Just take a look at Dallas. They rode the backs of two great players and a bunch of other very, very good players and we certainly have that."
The Clippers' journey without George will undoubtedly be closely watched as they strive to remain competitive at the highest levels of the NBA. As Ballmer stated, "I think people are going to be very thoughtful about how they continue to build their rosters to win."