Uncertainty surrounds the Los Angeles Clippers’ offseason after a first-round NBA playoff exit, with the futures of Paul George and James Harden hanging in the balance.
George, who has a $48.8 million player option for next season, may become a free agent if an extension isn’t agreed upon by June 30. He played a career-high 74 regular-season games this season, averaging 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and a career-high 41.3% from 3. In the 2024 playoffs, George averaged 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 4.8 assists.
Harden, set to become an unrestricted free agent, averaged 16.6 points, 8.5 assists, and 5.1 rebounds in 72 games this season. He stepped up his game in the playoffs, averaging 21.2 points, 8.0 assists, and 4.5 rebounds.
However, both George and Harden admitted they haven’t given much thought to their contracts yet. “I don’t even know,” Harden said. “You’re asking a lot of questions that I don’t have the answer to or haven’t even thought about.”
When asked about his long-term future with the Clippers alongside Kawhi Leonard and Harden, George replied, “Yeah, if it works that way, absolutely.” However, George also said he isn’t focused on his contract situation yet, saying “I got a lot to kind of digest myself, so I haven’t even got to that yet.”
The Clippers have a busy offseason ahead, including pursuing a contract extension with coach Ty Lue and navigating the complexities of keeping the team intact while exceeding $200 million in payroll next season.
After trading for Harden in October, the Clippers went on a 26-5 tear mid-season but struggled with injuries and inconsistency later on. Kawhi Leonard missed several games due to knee inflammation, and the team held him out after he didn’t look like his normal self in Game 3.
The Clippers’ offseason uncertainty extends beyond the players. The team must also decide how to manage their payroll, which is projected to exceed $200 million next season. This could lead to difficult decisions regarding roster moves and contract extensions.
As the Clippers look to rebuild and make another playoff run, George and Harden’s futures remain uncertain. Will they return to the team, or will they explore other options? Only time will tell.
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