With the NBA offseason in full swing, significant decisions loom for key players and franchises. Paul George of the LA Clippers is at the center of attention as his deadline to exercise his $48.8 million player option approaches on Saturday. The Clippers, keen to retain their star player, have laid out a substantial offer—a deal extending up to four years worth $221 million.
General Manager Lawrence Frank has openly expressed the team's desire to have George continue his journey with the Clippers. "We love Paul. We very much want to retain Paul, but we also very much understand and respect the fact this is a business," Frank stated. This sentiment captures the delicate balance teams must navigate as they juggle financial decisions and player preferences.
Should George opt not to exercise his player option, he would become a free agent, adding a layer of complexity to the Clippers' offseason strategy. Frank emphasized George's impact both on and off the court, saying, "We hope Paul's decision is to be here. He's been awesome. He's been an All-Star. He's one of the best two-way players in the league. He's a terrific person. He's got great family, so we hope he's here but also respect the fact that if he chooses to opt out, that's his choice. He's earned it and we'll see how things play out."
Even if George decides to stay for the final year of his contract, the possibility of exploring trade avenues remains open, as the Clippers aim to structure a sustainable roster in light of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). As Frank pointed out, "This is a business and the reality of the new CBA impacts teams like us. When your better players are in their 30s and you're trying to build a sustainable roster, it impacts it." With owner Steve Ballmer's considerable financial backing, the new CBA presents a different challenge. "Like if there was no CBA, with [owner] Steve Ballmer, it would be carte blanche. With the new CBA, it's not even about the money as it is how are you going to build a sustainable roster, maintain your tools to have transactional flexibility? And with that comes really, really hard decisions," Frank elaborated.
If George does explore free agency, the Clippers will have to look at other ways to bolster their squad. Their recent moves include signing Kawhi Leonard to a three-year, $150-million extension in January and adding Minnesota guard Cam Christie with the 46th pick in the second round of the draft. Moreover, the Clippers are actively pursuing free agent James Harden, engaging in discussions involving his agents, Mike Silverman and Troy Payne. "We think James has been terrific for us. We hope he's had a great experience while he has been here, and we hope he decides to continue to be here. ... We very much want James to remain a Clipper and hope he decides to do the same," Frank expressed.
All these elements underscore a critical juncture for the Clippers as they seek to maximize their roster's potential in an increasingly competitive league. The decisions made in the coming days will not only shape the Clippers' immediate prospects but also their long-term aspirations.