Clippers can contend without Paul George

Paul George agreed to join the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday. According to Shams Charania, he will sign a four-year, $212 million deal with the franchise. 

Losing George will be a blow to the L.A. Clippers, who have continually tried to build a contender around him and Kawhi Leonard.

Despite George's departure, the Clippers can still emerge as a contender in the Western Conference. They still have two elite talents in James Harden, who agreed to a two-year, $70 million contract extension on Monday, and Leonard. 

Since free agency opened on Sunday, the Clippers have acquired Mo Bamba, Kris Dunn, Nic Batum, Kevin Porter Jr. and Derrick Jones Jr. 

Those fresh faces provide defense and floor spacing. Ty Lue's roster is being constructed to give Harden and Russell Westbrook the spacing they need to thrive. Leonard will be the team's crown jewel courtesy of his elite two-way play. 

NBA teams have begun moving away from a Big Three. Constructing an elite roster around two stars with multiple high-level role players is often easier. Jones Jr. and Dunn are the perfect examples of plugging gaps around established stars. 

Ty Lue's team could still add another high-level contributor. DeMar DeRozan has been floated as a potential target. However, the Clippers appear to have a plan. If Leonard can stay healthy and Harden doesn't show much drop-off in production, the roster will be a threat on both sides of the floor. Lue is also one of the best coaches in the NBA, giving the franchise an advantage during the postseason.

The Clippers may have lost one of their best players, but it has allowed them to add more balance to their roster. They're now better equipped to defend and attack out of every position. Touches will be better spread around the roster. 

Lue's team is still a contender; the offseason moves have ensured that. Losing George will hurt, but it hasn't ended the Clippers' chances of success.