With Kawhi Leonard and Paul George?s $97.6 Million Due Next Season, Experts Lay Out Major Concerns for ?Stale? Clippers

Success at the highest level depends on proper team building among other factors. The Los Angeles Clippers wanted to get that right when they signed two superstars, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. But as time passed, the move became a stale, according to the experts, with $97.6 million still due.

The coming together of two NBA icons stirred excitement within the league as their combination was an awaited one. But not anymore. The analysts are now voicing concern over it, highlighting a clear change of heart in the fraternity.

What did the NBA experts say?

In a recent show, Zach Lowe and Chiney Ogwumike discussed the current state of the Clippers ahead of a new season. Zach called them, “the most interesting team in the entire league”,?as they have shown reluctance in extending their superstars. He then raised a few valid concerns surrounding the situation of the big two.

Kawhi and Paul in total would earn $97.6 million in the 2024-25 season if they don’t opt out. Till now, in their four years together in Los Angeles, they have failed to give their side of the city the most coveted championship. With them occupying a majority portion of the team’s salary cap, Lowe threw the question,?“In year 5 of this, have we grown a little bit stale?”

Failing to upgrade the core of the roster in the past few seasons, the franchise lacks enough fit players to see through a regular season. “Do they have enough to really put together a start-to-finish year?” the sportswriter asked. The 46-year-old later highlighted, “It’s just hard to trust that Kawhi and Paul George will ever be healthy at the same time”.

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Chiney joined in a bit different tone soon enough as she gave the Clippers fans hope for the next season. “There is quietly a little optimism,”?she believed as both the stars looked in great shape for the upcoming season. This makes us wonder about one thing only.

Can Kawhi Leonard and Paul George prove the doubters wrong?

The duo collectively share 13 All-Stars with Leonard having two championship rings on top of that. So, the question is never about the quality of the players. The entire concern is around the age, longevity and timing.

Both of them are in their early 30s and have missed out on numerous games over the years. They have never individually played more than 60 games in a regular season for the team. So, with the new rule taking place next season, the superstars might cause several problems for the management too.

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All in all, the Los Angeles Clippers are entering an interesting phase in their history. Can they overcome all the obstacles? Let us know in the comments below.