When the Los Angeles Clippers acquired Paul George via a blockbuster trade in 2019 with the Oklahoma City Thunder, it gave the Clips’ title hopes a massive boost. Five years later, the Clippers have zero championships to show. Over that same stretch, Los Angeles had been to the Western Conference finals just once and struck out of the first round twice.
It appears that the Clippers just realized that it was time for them to split ways with George and seek an answer to their championship drought without the nine-time All-Star rather than offer him a max contract.
Via ESPN senior reporter Zach Lowe:
The Clippers appear to have simply concluded the George-Leonard team had run its course. The window had closed, and so there was no point investing much more into it. Paying George almost $60 million in that fourth year, at age 38, is almost certainly going to be bad business. The Sixers do not care. Joel Embiid is 30 with a long injury history, and they are chasing a title. The Clippers no longer were. The specter of the apron only made the choice starker.
Paul George still in good position to compete for an NBA title after split with the Los Angeles Clippers
George is now with the Philadelphia 76ers, a new NBA home for him that should also allow the former Fresno State Bulldogs star to go after his title dreams, as the Sixers are loaded. Together with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, George will look to take down the competition in the East and be the missing piece 76ers have been looking for to unlock their true potential with Embiid as the focal point.
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