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By Ohm Youngmisuk, ESPN staff writer
LAS VEGAS — Kawhi Leonard said he's been discussing contract negotiations with Paul George all season and wasn't surprised when George left the team to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers.
In his first comments about George's departure, Leonard said Friday that he and George know what it takes for them to both remain with the Los Angeles Clippers.
George ended up signing a four-year, $212 million contract with the Sixers as a free agent.
“We knew what was going to happen before the season even started,” Leonard said after USA Basketball's practice on Tuesday. “We knew what was going to happen, so we talked about it from start to finish.”
“Not surprising.”
Clippers coach Ty Lue told ESPN he had multiple conversations about keeping George with the team, and Lue said it was “tough” to lose the All-Star guard in free agency.
“When you lose a player like PG who is important to your team, it's hard to replace him,” Lue, the USA Basketball assistant coach, told ESPN. “We're disappointed that the deal didn't get done and that he's not coming back. It's a tough situation for our team. We'll have to see how we move forward from here.”
“I spoke with him on a number of occasions, trying to get a sense of what his mindset was, what he needed to change and how I could help his process. I'm sad to see him go.”
George said on his podcast, “P with Paul George,” that the Clippers initially offered him a two-year, $60 million contract, which he called “disrespectful.” George detailed how the Clippers gradually increased their offer throughout the season.
When the Clippers signed Leonard to a three-year, $150 million contract extension in early January, George said he would have accepted the same deal, but then the talks rolled around the All-Star break, and George said he would have accepted the same extension after the season ended, but with a no-trade clause, which the Clippers were not willing to accept.
George said that it was important for him to talk to Leonard before signing with Philadelphia and inform him of his decision, and that Leonard supported him. George expressed disappointment at not being able to play alongside Leonard and complete what they had set out to do in Los Angeles.
Leonard decided to sign with the Clippers as a free agent in the summer of 2019, and George joined him in a trade from the Oklahoma City Thunder. The two stars, who played with championship expectations every season, were unable to lead the Clippers to the Western Conference Finals in 2021 due to injuries.
The Clippers were able to retain James Harden, who agreed to a two-year, $70 million free agent contract.
Leonard said he supported George's decision during a press conference with select reporters on Sunday but otherwise declined to answer questions about George.
Leonard was asked Tuesday how much of a burden he will have to shoulder this season without George.
“How much responsibility do I have to lead this team?” Leonard said. “It's the same as last year. It's the same.”
Leonard has missed the last two postseasons because of right knee injuries. In 2023, he tore the meniscus in his right knee after the first two games of a five-game series against the Phoenix Suns that beat Los Angeles in the first round. This past postseason, he missed the final three games of the Clippers' first-round loss of six games to the Dallas Mavericks because of inflammation in his surgically repaired right knee.
Leonard said during USA Basketball training camp that his knee was feeling “good” and that he planned to play in Wednesday's exhibition game against Canada.
“Yeah, I'm going to play tomorrow,” Leonard said. “Everything's good right now.” [The knee has] It is in a neutral state and we hope it will remain that way.”
Coach Lue offered his thoughts on Leonard's performance so far in camp.
“He's playing well. He's moving better than he's ever done since his injury.” [on March 31]”It's going really well. It's good to be healthy and moving in the right direction,” Lue told ESPN.
