Tag: Los Angeles Clippers

Social media reacts to Paul George testing free agency: ‘Clippers traded everything for Paul George just to not win anything’

After constant chatter about teams engaging in trade scenarios for Paul George, the nine-time All-Star has officially opted out and will test free agency. This is only the second time PG will go through free agency. Check out what people on social …

After constant chatter about teams engaging in trade scenarios for Paul George, the nine-time All-Star has officially opted out and will test free agency. This is only the second time PG will go through free agency.

Check out what people on social media had to say about his decision.

Four potential destinations for Paul George

Paul George could leave the LA Clippers. We take a look at four potential destinations for PG13’s talents: Orlando, Golden State, Oklahoma City and Philadelphia.

The sweepstakes for Paul George are ongoing and the storylines are a mix of empty rumors, less empty rumors, negotiation tactics, and posturing – with an occasional drizzle of real information dropped in.

The potential parting of the Clippers and George likely stems from a disagreement over his contract extension. According to reports, the Clippers have been unwilling to offer George the maximum contract available to him under the cap rules of $221 million. Instead, they are pushing for a three-year deal (with a potential discount involved).

The good part for George (and the tricky one for the Clippers) is that he has leverage in this negotiation. Even at age 34, George is playing on an All-Star level and generally makes the team whenever he’s healthy enough to play at least 54 games. George is still a solid defender – even if he’s five years removed from his last All-Defense nod – and his overall game as a shooter and secondary ball-handler is likely to age well.

This makes Paul an attractive target for multiple teams even if paying him around $60 million when he’s 38 isn’t a great resource allocation. If George decides to opt out of his player option for next season, he can in theory sign anywhere there’s cap space. While this is a limited group of teams, it also means George can use this bit of leverage to force his way to a team of his choosing – “trade me to where I want or I just walk for nothing.”

Ultimately, the Clippers may have no choice but to pay up here even if they aren’t excited about it. The alternative will be going after free agents (e.g. DeMar DeRozan) and that’s a clear step down in production for them. Barring a miracle, the Clippers don’t have any replacement that would be as good as George for the upcoming season when they are still hoping to compete for a championship.

The teams that are the best fit for George generally fit into two categories. One, older teams with a championship (or overall competitiveness) window with older stars where the team doesn’t care about potential overpays three or four years down the line, or two, young teams who can eat the salary up for the next couple of years before their teams become naturally more expensive as their top young players are extended beyond their rookie contracts.

9-time All-Star Paul George names Bronny James’ most impressive trait

Clippers forward Paul George recently offered a scouting report of Bronny James and believes he has a bright future ahead.

Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George recently offered a scouting report of draft prospect Bronny James and the nine-time NBA All-Star believes he has a bright future ahead.

James, the eldest son of LeBron James, averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists on 36.6% shooting from the field in 25 games as a freshman at USC. He scored in double figures three times, including a season-high 15 points and three assists on Dec. 30.

The 19-year-old is considered a second-round pick on June 27 after attending the combine and completing workouts with the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns. George, speaking on his podcast, likes James’ current ability and thinks he can be a steal in the draft.

What’s most impressive is just his basketball savviness. He can do it all. I feel like he hasn’t shown that he can really be elite at a lot of things, but I think he can be elite at a lot of things. I compare him to the Jrue Holidays, the Derrick Whites—guys that are glue guys that can go do everything on the floor and help you win. That’s kind of how I see him.

James previously pointed to Holiday and White as players he wants to model his game after. He likes the way that they can impact games for their respective teams and the grit, toughness and defensive intensity they play with nightly.

LeBron commended his son for watching those players because they affect winning at a high level. He loves the mindset Bronny has at this stage of his basketball career and believes he can also bring that ability with him to the NBA.

Bronny is projected to be drafted by the Lakers with the 55th pick, though other teams have reportedly expressed interest in him. He and his agent, Rich Paul, have been selective with his predraft workouts in an effort to land in the best situation for him. We will soon learn which team that is.

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ESPN blatantly encouraged Joel Embiid to recruit Paul George during an awkward interview

Joel Embiid and Paul George…future teammates in Philadelphia?

Joel Embiid was an impromptu TV panelist before Game 4 of the 2024 NBA Finals and his segment may have raised some eyebrows.

During his appearance on ABC’s NBA Countdown, the 2023 NBA MVP joined a panel that included L.A. Clippers star Paul George as well as Stephen A. Smith, Michael Wilbon, Malika Andrews and Kendrick Perkins.

Embiid spoke about the upcoming game between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks. Embiid’s 76ers were eliminated before they had a chance to play against Boston in the postseason.

While he called them a superteam, he made it clear that he doesn’t think this is the start of a dynasty because of tighter restrictions with the new collective bargaining agreement.

Embiid said it “hurts him a lot” to see the Celtics have a chance to play for a title, he said that hopefully the 76ers can find some pieces this offseason so it is him with a chance to win the Larry O’Brien Trophy next season.

Shortly after that, Wilbon agreed that perhaps one more piece is exactly what Philadelphia will need.

Kendrick Perkins didn’t hold any punches, though, and suggested that piece is sitting next to him: Paul George, who has a player option in his contract and could become an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

Philadelphia could create the cap space to sign George if the wing does not agree to a long-term extension with the Clippers.

But seeing it spelled out so plainly on national TV before the NBA Finals was quite a sight.

NBA fans reacted to the segment

 

NBA players paid tribute to Jerry West after the death of the logo, former MVP, and executive

NBA players paid tribute to one of the greatest to ever do it.

Jerry West, the 1969 NBA Finals MVP and 1972 NBA champion, has died. He was 86 years old.

West, who remains the logo of the league, was one of the most accomplished individuals in basketball history. Not only was a 14-time All-Star (earning the nod every year he played) but he was just as successful, if not more so, after his playing career.

He won eight championships as an executive, helping assemble some of the greatest teams to ever step on the court, including uniting Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal on the Los Angeles Lakers.

West was named NBA’s Executive of the Year two times, receiving the honor in 1995 and 2004.

His life touched decades of players and his memory was honored by several around the league who had the opportunity to learn from him on and off the court.

NBA players remembered The Logo

James Harden Q&A: On mental resilience, GOAT pick, and more

James Harden, the 15-year NBA veteran, former MVP and 10-time All-Star, and pending free agent for the Los Angeles Clippers, sat down with HoopsHype, on behalf of adidas Eurocamp, to discuss how he mentally has dealt with the last few seasons, …

James Harden, the 15-year NBA veteran, former MVP and 10-time All-Star, and pending free agent for the Los Angeles Clippers, sat down with HoopsHype, on behalf of adidas Eurocamp, to discuss how he mentally has dealt with the last few seasons, impact adidas has had on his career, his GOAT, and more.

Do the Philadelphia 76ers really want to trade for Chicago’s Zach LaVine?

Much of this could of course be contingent on whether or not current Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George stays put or not.

The Philadelphia 76ers are looking to improve their roster this 2024 NBA offseason, and whether they do it by using their cap space to sign a free agent to their roster or use the space to absorb a contract, they will be adding a new face to the team.

And we have been hearing some rumbles that the 76ers could be a potential buyer for star Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine regarding the latter of the two options Philadelphia has to choose from. Much of this could of course be contingent on whether or not current Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George stays put or not.

The hosts of the “CHGO Bulls” podcast took some time on a recent show to game out how a LaVine trade to the Sixers might play out — and more importantly, what might be coming back to Chicago in one.

Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear their thoughts.

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Could veteran Chicago Bulls wing DeMar DeRozan leave the team in free agency to join the Los Angeles Clippers?

How much should Bulls fans be worried about losing DeRozan for nothing?

Could veteran Chicago Bulls wing DeMar DeRozan leave the team in free agency to join the Los Angeles Clippers? With the team’s offseason here in full force and the rumor mill in need of something to grind, it is wise to approach all such offseason chatter with a hefty grain of salt.

But on the other side of the proverbial coin, the very nature of the unrestricted free agency DeRozan is currently making the most of implies that very thing could indeed end up happening is the Bulls do not convince him to stay with the team. How much should Bulls fans be worried about losing DeRozan for nothing?

The hosts of the “Locked On Bulls” podcast, Haize and Pat the Designer, took some time on a recent show to explore just such a possibility in light of the rumors we have all been hearing.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear what they had to say.

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Bill Simmons proposes the Lakers do Paul George-LeBron James swap

Would Bill Simmons proposed trade do anything to improve the Lakers next season?

The expectation around the NBA is LeBron James will opt out of his contract to become a free agent and then agree to a new contract to remain with the Los Angeles Lakers. Rich Paul, James’ agent, seemed to confirm James will become a free agent, perhaps by accident, just a few days ago.

However, it isn’t a guarantee that James will be with the Purple and Gold next season. He could have a change of heart, especially if the team makes decisions he doesn’t approve of, even though Paul has claimed he is distancing himself from the team’s head coaching hiring process.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Clippers’ Paul George is facing a similar contract situation. Bill Simmons said on his podcast the two teams should essentially swap the two stars (h/t Sports Illustrated).

“Here’s the solution for all of us with Paul George: a double sign-and-trade with the Lakers,” Simmons posits. “LeBron gets to stay in L.A. but he goes to the Clippers to open the new stadium and finish his career there. Paul George gets to finally play with the Lakers after it was blocked by Adam Silver a couple years ago” — this Silver claim has been rumored, but is not at all confirmed — “and finally he gets to be a Laker. And it gets to be him, and A.D. (Anthony Davis) and (rumored head coach front-runner) JJ Redick and we’re off. It’s a new era for the Lakers. Kind of fun.”

“I’m just saying it’s a new, post-LeBron era with Paul George, A.D., Austin Reaves,” Simmons said. “I just like the narrative of that. LeBron on the Clippers. (Owner Steve) Ballmer’s like, ‘This is great, I have LeBron James to open my new arena.'”

Simmons is a Boston Celtics superfan and a Lakers hater, so one shouldn’t take this seriously. The Lakers wouldn’t be much more than a play-in team with George taking James’ place, especially given how George is injury-prone and wildly inconsistent in the playoffs.

Meanwhile, while this proposed swap would make the Clippers better, at least on paper, it likely wouldn’t be enough. Kawhi Leonard, who is currently their best player, continues to be injury-prone, and he hasn’t remained healthy for a full postseason in four years. He has missed at least two games in each of the last four postseasons, which includes the 2022 play-in tournament.

This is a swap proposal that wouldn’t result in an NBA championship for either team involved.

HoopsHype: Rockets could fit as opt-in trade suitor for Paul George

In opt-in trade scenarios, HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto lists the Kings, Heat, Rockets, and Mavericks as potential options for Clippers star Paul George.

Like most teams, the Houston Rockets aren’t projected to have financial room beneath the NBA’s salary cap in the 2024 offseason. But, they do have a number of expiring contracts to potentially make the salary matching math work on trades, if a target is available.

With that in mind, there’s been a trend in recent years of star players opting in for the final year of existing contracts to force a trade to a desired destination. In this way, those with player options can use the threat of unrestricted free agency (if they opt out, they can potentially leave their current team for no compensation) while expanding any potential list of suitors beyond teams with cap room.

While free agents can reach sign-and-trade agreements, those are generally more prohibitive than opt-in-and-trade scenarios. For example, if a team is over the luxury-tax apron, it cannot receive a player in a sign-and-trade, according to the NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement. Moreover, any team that receives a player in a sign-and-trade can’t cross the apron at any point in that league year.

Thus, leveraging a trade after opting into the final year of an existing contract offers more options. Among numerous examples, that method is how James Harden forced his way from the Philadelphia 76ers to the Los Angeles Clippers in 2023, and it’s how Chris Paul moved from the Clippers to the Rockets in 2017.

So, could nine-time All-Star Paul George — widely viewed as one of the top free agents on the potential 2024 market — pull off the same move by opting into the final year (at $48.8 million) of his existing contract with the Clippers before leveraging a move elsewhere?

It’s at least possible for George and the aging Clippers, who had a disappointing exit from the first round of the 2024 playoffs. And according to Michael Scotto, league insider for HoopsHype, the young and improving Rockets are among a handful of teams that could potentially fit as a George destination. He writes:

George could also have a larger market than only teams with cap space this summer. Theoretically, George could opt into his contract and be traded with the understanding he’d work out a new deal, which would open up possibilities for teams like the Kings, Heat, Rockets, Mavericks, and others looking to acquire another star to fortify their championship contending chances going into next season.

To accept George’s $48.8 million salary in such a scenario, Houston would have to send out something in the range of $40 million in salary to the Clippers. However, that could be accomplished between Dillon Brooks — who makes $22.6 million and could theoretically replace George as a wing starter in Los Angeles — along with the expiring salaries of two players among Jock Landale ($8.0 million), Jeff Green ($9.6 million), and Jae’Sean Tate ($7.1 million).

Because NBA rosters can be temporarily expanded in the offseason to fit up to 21 players, executing a 3-for-1 or 4-for-1 trade is significantly easier than during each regular season.

The problem is, Brooks and expiring contracts probably aren’t enough from a value perspective for the Clippers to trade a star player like George. So, the Rockets would likely have to add further sweetener in the form of a talented young player and/or future draft assets.

With that in mind, would the Rockets (41-41) — who would be better with George, but probably not an immediate title contender — be willing to trade enough assets to make it work for the Clippers? In theory, Houston might be more willing to trade quality assets if George agreed to a contract extension. But, how many years and dollars would a developing team like the Rockets commit to a 34-year-old — and is it worth it, if the contending window isn’t yet open?

If George wanted to play in Houston badly enough (it appears he’s on good terms with Jalen Green and Alperen Sengun), to the point where he would effectively give the Clippers a one-team preferred trade list and otherwise threaten to leave as an unrestricted free agent for no compensation, that could reduce the cost to a manageable level. But, would George be willing to go to extreme lengths for a team that doesn’t yet appear to be a true contender?

All in all, it’s doubtful all of the needed dominos will line up. But it’s an intriguing scenario to ponder and evaluate as decisions on team and player options are made throughout the month of June.

George averaged 22.6 points (47.1% FG, 41.3% on 3-pointers), 5.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game last season. On paper, he is a clear short-term upgrade relative to Brooks, who is a good defensive player but much more limited as a scorer and shooter. However, the question for the Rockets is whether that short-term bump is worth the asset premium that would likely be required to make it all work.

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