The Los Angeles Clippers are opening a brand new arena to begin the 2024-25 NBA season and were hoping to have their stars in place when they move into their new facility next October. There have been questions about the futures of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, and whether they would enter the latter part of their careers as members of the Clippers. But the latter reached an agreement on Wednesday and Los Angeles has secured one of its two biggest names for the near future.
NBA: Expect Paul George to see money similar to Kawhi Leonard
Good morning, #ClipperNation 🖐️
We have signed a contract extension with Kawhi Leonard. pic.twitter.com/aBDJpHwEn0
– LA Clippers (@LAClippers) January 10, 2024
Leonard was scheduled to have a player option after the current season. It would have been the last year of his contract with the Clippers, and opting to accept it would have netted him just $49 million for what could have been his last year in Los Angeles.
But instead of exercising the option, Leonard negotiated a new contract. The two sides reached an agreement Wednesday morning on a three-year extension worth $152 million, locking Leonard in until he is 36 and likely into the twilight of his career.
Leonard will receive a slight increase on the player option he could have signed, as he will reportedly make $52 million in the first year and then $50 million over the final two years.
The Clippers want their stars locked up for their big move
The Clippers’ extension talks with Paul George are ongoing and the organization continues to want both stars to align on longer-term contracts, sources tell ESPN. For now, Leonard has agreed to a new deal in a season in which he has been healthy and highly productive. https://t.co/wCOhfrJxrp
– Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 10, 2024
So what does all this mean for Paul George? Based on the way the team has treated its two stars in recent years, it means he will likely receive the same contract. Both players made the same amount of money last season, and this is given that they are essentially in the same part of their careers and have capitalized on max contracts in recent seasons.
While there have been no reports that George is close to a deal, it is widely known that he and the Clippers have been in negotiations, and the team wants to line up its two big-name players as they move into their new place. for the next season. . There probably isn’t much of a rush since George has until the summer to make a decision on his option, but Leonard’s deal has certainly set the bar and, if anything, will simplify talks.
After going through difficult times at the start of the season, the Clippers are one of the best teams in the NBA since the beginning of December. They are currently 23-13 and are alone in fourth place in the Western Conference.
