To justify the departure of Paul Georgeofficially announced by the franchise, the Clippers explained that they wanted to keep him, but with a contract that could allow “to continue to build the team despite the new constraints of the new collective agreement”. A question of money therefore, for the winger as well as for the franchise.
Despite several months of negotiations, to reach an agreement on “a contract that made sense for both sides”the position of each being too far from that of the other, “PG13” therefore left Los Angeles.
It's that story, and her signing in Philadelphia, that ESPN's Ramona Shelburne tells in a long article. And there is indeed a lot of talk about the new collective agreement and the famous “second apron”, this barrier not to be crossed under penalty of sanctions.
Each wanted to make the other give in…
The Clippers had signed Kawhi Leonard for $150 million and three years in January. Since it was not the maximum amount the star could claim, it was already a sign for the franchise, but also for Paul George: it would have to make an effort if the association with the former Toronto player was to last.
The two men, who arrived in Los Angeles at the same time in 2019, talked a lot about their new contract, their desire to stay, without ever mentioning a discount. Especially since the Californian leaders wanted to offer less to “PG13” than to Kawhi, ESPN believes. The former Indiana and Oklahoma City player was reportedly disappointed with the Clippers' offer and told his teammate that he was going to go to the competition.
“The talks get bogged down, then completely fade away […] George was betting that other teams would offer him more money, for longer. The Clippers were banking that the lure of his hometown of Los Angeles would be too strong to ignore.summarizes Ramona Shelburne.
From then on, with the prospect of him leaving, the Clippers sought to transfer him, so as not to lose him without compensation. Discussions took place with the Warriors, Paul George being particularly attracted to teaming up with Stephen Curry and the 2022 champions.
…but the fear of sanctions is stronger
Here too, the fear of the “second apron” played on the negotiations since the two franchises are those who pay the most luxury tax this year. Golden State had the Klay Thompson and Chris Paul files to manage and the contract of the point guard ($30 million) was a godsend to save money or to set up a transfer.
The Warriors proposed several combinations, with end-of-contracts, young players and a first-round draft pick in 2027. The Clippers wanted Jonathan Kuminga in exchange. Golden State resisted and did not give in, also thinking that, too penniless, the Warriors would no longer be interesting for Paul George. Nevertheless, an agreement was visibly very close to being found: the leaders and owners of the two franchises discussed directly.
But, again, the Clippers didn't want to find themselves in a complicated financial situation. A logical choice: if they didn't find an agreement with Paul George because of this, it's not to find themselves in this situation with other players…
The Sixers, on the other hand, didn't have these problems to deal with. They had a lot of money to spend this summer ($60 million) and wanted a third star to support Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Therefore, a player of Paul George's caliber available on the market was more than enough to move and try to convince him.
Allen Iverson Jersey and Dr. J Delay
On Sunday, June 30, the Philadelphia franchise traveled to Los Angeles, to the player's house, to talk with him. In this delegation, we found the president, Daryl Morey, the GM, Elton Brand, the vice-president, Peter Dinwiddie (who “PG13” knew from his years in Indiana), as well as the owner of the Sixers, Josh Harris, and the former local legend, Julius Erving.
The meeting is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. (the market opening was set for 6 p.m.), but the last two mentioned have a slight weather problem for traveling and will be late. The player's agent, Aaron Mintz, then asks Paul George if he agrees to wait a little. No problem, he answers.
So, two hours later, at 10:30 p.m., all these people walk through the door of Paul George's. And we can already say that it smells good: the player receives them with a jersey of Allen Iverson, former glory and MVP of the Sixers, on his back… We know the rest (and the end) of this story: a contract of 212 million dollars over four years.
