Paul George, also known as PG-13, played for the Los Angeles Clippers from 2019 to 2024 after completing two seasons with the Oklahoma City Thunder. After becoming a free agent, the nine-time NBA All-Star was rumored to be considering multiple teams, including the Golden State Warriors, which were reportedly close to signing him, according to George. However, the six-time member of the All-NBA Team dismissed all the rumors and agreed to an offer from the Philadelphia 76ers. George was officially signed by Philadelphia on Saturday to a four-year, $212 million maximum contract.
In a recent episode of Podcast P with Paul George, the host explained why he chose the 76ers over the Clippers. He revealed that his initial intention was to stay with the Clippers, but the contract offers he received fell short of his expectations, leading him to consider other options. PG-13 mentioned that he never wanted to leave the Clippers.
“Just to put it out there, I never wanted to leave LA. Initially, I was not trying to leave LA. LA is home, this is where I wanted to finish, and I wanted to work as hard as possible to win one in LA. That was the goal, to be here and be committed to LA.” George said.
George Expresses His Dissatisfaction With Clippers’ Initial Offer
George further revealed his disappointment with the Clippers’ initial deal. He mentioned that the initial two-year $60 million contract was disrespectful to him.
As it played out, though, the first initial deal was, I thought, kind of disrespectful, right, and again, in all of this, no hard feelings, no love lost..it’s a business, like you said. So the first initial deal was like two years, 60 [million]. So I’m like, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Two years, 60? That’s crazy! I’m not signing that.” George added.
George further stated that he was not prepared to accept the initial offer and requested the team to provide a contract equal to that of Kawhi Leonard.
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“Now we’re getting into the negotiating– No, I’m not taking that deal, and so they are saying this, that we want you and Kawhi here long term, we want y’all to be here, all of this stuff right. Mind you this was before the season started…maybe October-ish when negotiations first started. As we kept going, it was like they would go up inches, inches, inches to where it was like 44-45 [million/year]…but this was a couple months in between before we got it to 40 something. I’m like, ‘Just give me what Kawhi [Leonard] got,” George continued.
According to StatMuse, he averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 74 games during the 2023-24 season. Before agreeing to the 76ers’ offer, George was close to signing a deal with the Warriors, but the deal didn’t go through. However, Draymond Green explained in detail the reasons for the failed Paul George trade to the Warriors.
