The Los Angeles Clippers are having ongoing conversations with Paul George and Kawhi Leonard about contract extensions. Leonard and George, two of the best players in the NBA, both have player options for the 2024-25 season.
“We’re still trying to maximize Kawhi and PG’s window and take advantage of it,” Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said. “We’ve had consistent ongoing conversations with both of them [since they were extension-eligible] and their representatives, and at the appropriate time we’re hopeful that they remain Clippers.”
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.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers Updates
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.
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.
Want the latest in NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
