ESPN recently spoke about how every team could nail their offseason. What do the Los Angeles Clippers need to do to achieve this?
With high expectations and a few stars, it was a disappointing 2023-24 season for the Los Angeles Clippers, as they were bounced in the first round of the NBA Playoffs by the Dallas Mavericks.
The duo of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George has yet to result in the Clippers getting over the hump in the Western Conference, as bad timing with injuries has limited their potential. Now, the Clippers will be heading into an offseason where George could elect to leave in free agency, which would certainly leave a big void on the team.
Recently, ESPN spoke about how the Clippers could nail this offseason. Here’s what they had to say.
The Clippers are hoping the lure of staying in L.A. is enough to persuade Paul George to sign the kind of below-max extension teammate Kawhi Leonard took midseason rather than look elsewhere for a max offer after he declined his player option. Then they want James Harden to re-sign for a deal like the three-year, $90 million offer proposed by ESPN’s Bobby Marks.
That wouldn’t prevent the Clippers from going into the second apron next season. But it would help them move out of it by 2026-27 when their 2032 first-round pick would potentially move to the end of the round. — Kevin Pelton
Keeping George this offseason is key for the Los Angeles Clippers, but keeping him at the right price is also very important. The trio of Leonard, George, and Harden looks good enough on paper to compete in the Western Conference if all three are healthy.
If the Clippers were to lose George, we could likely slot them as a team that could make the playoffs, but likely wouldn’t be a title contender anymore. George will almost certainly opt out of his player option for a new contract, and when that happens, the Los Angeles Clippers need to be ready with a new contract right away.
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