Paul George Says Clippers Never Offered Him Same Deal Kawhi Leonard Got

On the latest episode of his podcast called “Podcast P,” NBA star Paul George revealed that the Los Angeles Clippers never offered him the same deal Kawhi Leonard got. 

The Clippers signed Leonard to a three-year, $153 million extension.

George said LAC offered him a three-year, $150 million contract. When George countered by asking for a no-trade clause in the deal, the Clippers declined.

George requested a four-year contract worth $212 million without the no-trade clause, but the Clippers weren’t interested.

One of the top players in the NBA, George met with the Philadelphia 76ers and signed a four-year, $212 million contract. 

PG details how contract negotiations with the Clippers affected his decision to leave LA. pic.twitter.com/PU3Z5gZ94z

— Podcast P with Paul George (@PodcastPShow) July 8, 2024

George averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.5 blocks for the Clippers in 2023-24 while shooting 47.1% from the field, 41.3% from beyond the arc and 90.7% from the free-throw line.

The Clippers lost to the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the 2024 playoffs in six games.

George has career averages of 20.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.7 steals and 0.4 blocks with the Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder and Clippers. He was born and raised in Palmdale, California. 

George has made nine All-Star teams, six All-NBA teams and four All-Defensive teams.

The Clippers never reached the NBA Finals in the Leonard-George era. Neither All-Star could stay healthy when it mattered most. 

“I owed Kawhi that conversation,” George said. “I called him up and was just like, man, listen, I think I’m going to go elsewhere. Conversations with the Clippers didn’t go how I wanted to. I kind of broke down how I told you guys how it all played out and we had that conversation and I was like, man, I got to do what’s best. He understood like ‘Go get your bag like P, go get your back. I can’t even be mad at you.’ I look at Kawhi as one of my best friends in this league. Somebody that I fuck with. Our families love each other. So it was tough to leave him just with how much I enjoyed being out there with him. That was one of a big decision too that weighed a lot on me was just, damn, I’m leaving my boy. But I had to have that conversation with him. We talked and he gave me his blessings of like, man, just go do what’s best for you.”