Any fear the Los Angeles Clippers may have had about mortgaging their future youth in the trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder to get Paul George without a long-term commitment has been assuaged.
George agreed to a five-year contract with the Clippers that extends his deal with Los Angeles by four years, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. It is worth $190 million and could increase to as much as $226 million.
Last offseason, the Thunder traded George to Clippers in a deal that netted Oklahoma City Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, first-round Clippers picks in 2022, 2024 and 2026, first-round Miami Heat picks in 2021 and 2023, and the right to swap first-round picks in 2023 and 2025.
It was a massive trove to give up, but the Clippers didn’t just land George; this also convinced Kawhi Leonard to sign with Los Angeles. It put them on the track of championship contention.
However, at the time, both George and Leonard only had two guaranteed years remaining on their deals and then player options for the third. It was a very reasonable risk to take, as Los Angeles turned to title favorites for many, but without a lengthy commitment from either player, there was a chance both could leave. That noise grew slightly louder after the Clippers collapsed in the playoffs and reports were subsequently released about poor locker room chemistry.
However, with reports of the extension Thursday, George will not be leaving Los Angeles anytime soon. Clippers fans can be optimistic that though the team gave up a lot to acquire the wing from the Thunder, he should keep them in contention and can help convince Leonard to sign an extension as well.
