Kawhi Leonard and Paul George want to remain with the Los Angeles Clippers, according to NBA insider Brian Windhorst of ESPN. Leonard and George both have player options for the 2024-25 season.
The Clippers signed Leonard in the summer of 2019 and traded for George from the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, the franchise hasn’t reached the NBA Finals yet. Leonard and George have only played in 118 regular-season games together. Both stars have been prone to injuries since becoming teammates.
Leonard averaged 34.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 6.0 assists in Games 1 and 2 of the first round of the 2023 playoffs against the Phoenix Suns before missing the rest of the series with his knee injury. The two-time Defensive Player of the Year signed a four-year, $176.3 million contract with the Clippers in August 2021.
Leonard missed the entire 2021-22 season recovering from an ACL injury. He will make $45.6 million next season. His player option for the 2024-25 season is worth $48.8 million.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers Updates
Leonard appeared in 52 games last season, averaging 23.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists. Meanwhile, George averaged 23.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists for the Clippers last season. The 33-year-old signed a four-year, $176 million maximum extension in December 2020. George will make $45.6 million next season and has a player option worth $48.8 million for the 2024-25 season.
The Clippers are potentially facing a crossroads with their roster since Leonard and George both have player options for the 2024-25 season. If Los Angeles doesn’t compete for a title next season, the Leonard-George era could be over.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers Updates
Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue told Marc Stein and Chris Haynes that Leonard and George are on track to be 100% for the start of training camp. Leonard played in two games in the 2023 playoffs before suffering a torn meniscus in his right knee. The two-time Finals MVP underwent offseason surgery. Meanwhile, George missed the entire 2023 postseason with a sprained right knee.
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