Clippers News: Paul George’s Homecoming in Doubt, as LA Decides the Future of the 9X All-Star After Kawhi Leonard

The Los Angeles Clippers have performed like title favorites so far. However, many people doubted their capabilities during the early stages of the season. With less than 30 regular season games remaining, the Clippers find themselves firmly in contention for the top seed in a fiercely competitive Western Conference. The stellar performances of Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and James Harden have been key contributing factors behind the Clippers’ impressive season.

The Clippers’ hierarchy has already tied Kawhi Leonard down to a three-year contract extension worth $152.4 million. However, the future of PG and Harden remains uncertain, as their contracts expire after the current season. Reports have emerged that both Harden and PG are interested in signing a contract extension. But as the negotiations prolong, fans and the Clippers’ hierarchy would start to get anxious.

Is there something cooking up between Paul George and the Clippers?

NBA insider and ESPN analyst Adrian Wojnarowski provided some insights into the ongoing contract negotiations between the Clippers and PG. During a conversation on ESPN’s NBA Countdown, Woj reported that both parties are interested in signing the contract. He said, “They’ve continued to talk and one thing hasn’t changed, the Clippers very much want to resign Paul George and Paul George wants to stay with the Clippers. This is what he dreamed of. Coming back to L.A., playing with this starry group, and having a chance to win a championship.”

However, the new rules and regulations, courtesy of the recently agreed Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), have posed hurdles in reaching an agreement. According to Woj, “For Paul George and the Clippers, it’s finding a number and a way to stay together. But in a perfect world, they get this done before the season is over. And again a real test of team building in this new collective bargaining era.”

Currently, the Clippers have the second-highest payroll in the NBA, totaling $202,170,191. For the 2024-25 season, they are projected to pay approximately $170,345,074. However, this sum is without factoring in the potential contract extensions of Harden and PG. According to Shams Charania, the NBA has projected the 2024-25 salary cap to be around $141 million. This indicates that teams with a payroll exceeding $189 million might fall into the second apron.

The implications of falling under the second apron are quite serious. The restrictions imposed on falling under the second apron would severely limit teams’ ability to make trades or execute significant roster changes. From the 2024-25 season onwards, high-sending teams would have to keep their finances in check, and that includes the Los Angeles Clippers.

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