Windhorst on Paul George, Clippers Contract Talks: ‘Intent’ by Both to Reach New Deal

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The Los Angeles Clippers and Paul George reportedly are “intent” on getting a new contract done soon.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported on The Hoop Collective (49:22 mark) that the two sides remain in talks, and the expectation is a deal will get done to keep George in Los Angeles for the remainder of his prime.

George has a $48.8 million player option for the 2024-25 season. He would have to decline that option to agree to an extension.

Kawhi Leonard, whose contract mirrored George’s, declined his option upon agreeing to a three-year, $149.7 million extension in January.

George is a year older than Leonard, but there’s no reason he should expect anything less than a similar extension on his end. Leonard and George have both dealt with injuries throughout their time as teammates, though the latter has been the healthier of the two. It’s also worth noting that Leonard is the better player between the pair when they’re both on the floor, so that’s also worth taking into account.

The logical solution is to offer George the same contract as Leonard and for George to sign on the dotted line. The protracted nature of the talks would create a logical conclusion that one of the two sides is balking at the idea of accepting or offering the same deal.

The Clippers also have to contend with the impending free agency of James Harden as well. George, Leonard and Harden have meshed brilliantly after a slow start and now have the Clippers one game out of the top seed in the Western Conference.