Clippers Offered Paul George Less Guaranteed Money Than Kawhi Leonard

While Paul George and Kawhi Leonard talked generally about signing new contracts with the Los Angeles Clippers to extend their partnership, specifics were never discussed, sources tell ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne. George and Leonard never talked about taking one season and approximately $70 million less than they were eligible to receive before Leonard decided to sign a three-year, $150 million extension.

The unilateral decision by Leonard and his camp to take the extension put pressure on George to take less money in his own negotiations with the Clippers. George held out for a four-year deal and took those talks all the way to free agency when he would have the leverage of a four-year, $212 million deal offered by another team. The Clippers never moved off their position of a three-year offer, which led to a parting of ways and an immediate announcement from the franchise. George agreed to the four-year offer from the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Clippers even offered George less than what they had guaranteed Leonard, sources tell ESPN. The Clippers offered George less than his max over three years as they said they wanted to preserve their optionality. The Clippers were hoping their offer would be accepted due to George’s preference to remain close to home. Sources say George was disappointed by the offer. With George and the Clippers heading toward a part of ways, he called Leonard to notify him that he was looking at other teams.