LOS ANGELES – When the LA Clippers traded for Paul George back in their epic summer of 2019 that also landed them Kawhi Leonard, it was with the understanding that the goal of winning a championship wouldn't be accomplished overnight and that this was a long term partnership. On Thursday morning, George put pen to paper and agreed to the four-year extension offered by the Clippers.
The move signals the trust and commitment George is putting in the organization for this chapter of his career as well as the faith the Clippers have in the six-time All-Star. George could've held out for free agency in the summer of 2021, but instead, elected to sign his deal prior to the start of the season.
“I was just confident in myself and where I wanted to be,” Paul George told members of the media after the signing. “I left everything else in their hands where they make the decision, at the end of the day. I love being here, I love the family that I've created in my first year. This is where I want to be. This is home. I'm at home. And I want to build something, a real foundation. And ultimately, this is where my legacy, where I want to leave the biggest imprint on.”
When asked about a possible extension last week, George repeatedly said that his home and this is the place that makes him the happiest to be. Given those comments, it wasn't surprising to see both sides come to an agreement with haste.
“Yeah, this is where I ultimately wanted to be before extension talks came into play,” Paul George added. “Fact of the matter was, my agent came to me, said I was up for an extension. There was no other decision to be made. I knew this was where I wanted to be. At this point in my career, again, it is about leaving a legacy with an organization that I really wanted to be associated with. And I loved everywhere that I have been but at this point in my career, this is where I want my biggest legacy to be.”
The extension of George is arguably one of the biggest in franchise history, given the championship implications. Before Kawhi Leonard came on board, the Clippers weren't necessarily a destination for free agents to come and play basketball in pursuit of an NBA championship.
“Yeah, I think it's a really significant moment for the franchise,” President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank said on the call. “It’s one thing to acquire a great player like Paul. It’s another thing to retain him and we’re extremely honored that he trusts the organization with this chapter of his career. It’s both a tremendous privilege and it’s also a massive responsibility and Paul’s a partner in this. We value what he thinks and things we need to do going forward and I think the commitment that we’ve made to each other is significant and we also both believe that the best is yet to come both for Paul and also for our team.”
Last year for George was a rough down year. He even acknowledged his struggles and admitted it was an unacceptable showing during Media week. George averaged just 21.5 points on 44 percent. shooting, his lowest scoring average since the year he returned from his gruesome lower leg injury. His struggles were further enhanced in the postseason, which played a part in the Clippers' 3-1 collapse to the Denver Nuggets.
A refocused George has moved on, however, and is looking forward to a second crack at it. The next step, George says, is to finish what he started and win an NBA championship for the Clippers.
“I owe them a trophy,” George affirmed when asked what he owes the franchise. after signing the max extension. “I owe them a trophy. That's what I owe this organization. This is a window that we're trying to capture. And my commitment and my job is to try to bring a title here.”
“I owe them a trophy. I owe them a trophy. That’s what I owe this organization. This is a window that we’re trying to capture. My commitment and my job is to being a title here.”
– Paul George on what he owes Clippers after extension. pic.twitter.com/SjSLxZEFum
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) December 10, 2020
How does Paul George's decision affect Kawhi Leonard?
For one, Leonard has two years left on his three year deal, but does have the option to opt out and test free agency during the summer of 2021. While it's widely expected that he will opt out of the final year of his deal, he's also expected to sign a long term deal with the franchise as well.
Leonard is currently not eligible for an extension this offseason, but will hit 10 years of experience after this season, qualifying him for the max contract worth up to 35 percent of the salary cap. Nothing's set in stone when it comes to Leonard, and a disastrous season for the Clippers could affect his decision. At least for now, Leonard is focused on the Clippers.
While Kawhi Leonard could leave after this summer, Paul George says he has a responsibility to make the decision on his future easier.
“The responsibility is to make him feel like the way I felt when I came into my extension. I knew where I wanted to be. I knew who I wanted to play with. That's my responsibility to go into the season. Again, it's Kawhi's decision. I'm a grown man. If he decides to go elsewhere, that's a decision that I'll be happy for him. But my hope, my responsibility, and what I would love is to play with him for the rest of my contract or the rest of his contract. I guess I have to work on that when it comes to his time.
“The responsibility is to make him feel like I felt when I came into my extension. I knew where I wanted to be… My hope, responsibility, and what I would love is to play with him for the rest of my contract or the rest of his contract.”
Paul George on Kawhi Leonard. #Clippers pic.twitter.com/G6GMFHqTAA
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) December 11, 2020
“I'm hopeful,” George added. “I won't put words in another person’s mouth, but I'm hopeful. He's one of the guys that I talked to and kind of wanted to inform, ‘Hey, this is a decision I wanted to make, I want to be here long-term.' It's not putting a gun to Kawhi and telling him, he's gotta do this or do that. Hopefully it's a mutual bond and we both enjoy playing with one another. Everybody's got their own decisions to make and hopefully me showing my commitment, being here and wanting to play with him long term sticks out.”
“I won’t put words in another person’s mouth, but I’m hopeful. He’s one of the guys that I talked to and wanted to inform. It’s not putting a gun to Kawhi and telling him he’s got to do this or that.“
Paul George on talks with Kawhi Leonard to re-sign next summer. #Clippers pic.twitter.com/N5Ul1w8bNV
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) December 10, 2020
Leonard's decision will have to for another couple of months as there's a season yet to be played. But while Paul George says he's not putting any pressure or trying to convince Kawhi Leonard to re-sign long term as well, the unspoken message is clear:
I'm committed to being here and trying to win titles together. Next season, it's your turn.
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