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Oh Young-mi-sook, ESPN staff writer
LAS VEGAS — Kawhi Leonard said he talked to Paul George all season about contract talks and wasn’t surprised when George left to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Leonard, in his first comments on George’s departure, said Friday that he and George both know what it takes to remain with the Los Angeles Clippers.
George eventually signed a four-year, $212 million contract with the 76ers as a free agent.
“We knew what it was going to be before the season,” Leonard said after USA Basketball practice Tuesday. “We knew what it was going to be. So we talked about it from beginning to end.
“No surprise there.”
Clippers coach Ty Lue told ESPN he has had multiple conversations with George about keeping him on the team. Lue said losing the All-Star guard in free agency was “tough.”
“When you lose a key piece of your team like PG, it’s hard to replace,” Lue, the USA Basketball head coach, told ESPN. “It’s disappointing that we didn’t get a deal done, and it’s disappointing that he’s not back. It’s tough for the organization. We’ll have to see how we move forward from here.
“I’ve talked to him a lot, trying to figure out what his mindset is, what we need to do differently, how we can help him through his process. It’s a shame he’s gone.”
George said on the “P with Paul George Podcast” that the Clippers initially offered him a two-year, $60 million contract, which he described as “disrespectful.” George elaborated that the Clippers gradually increased their offer throughout the season.
When the Clippers signed Leonard to a three-year, $150 million extension in early January, George said he would have taken the same deal. But George said negotiations were on hold around the All-Star break, and he said he would take the same extension at the end of the season, but that it included a no-trade clause that the Clippers were unwilling to do.
George said it was important for him to talk to Leonard before signing with Philadelphia and let him know his decision and for Leonard to support him. George expressed disappointment that he would not be able to play with Leonard and finish what he 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 after being traded from the Oklahoma City Thunder. Both stars, who played with championship expectations each season, were sidelined by injuries in 2021, keeping the Clippers out of the Western Conference Finals.
The Clippers managed to retain James Harden, who agreed to a two-year, $70 million free-agent contract.
Leonard said in a media session with some reporters on Sunday that he supported George’s decision, but otherwise did not answer questions about it.
Leonard was asked Tuesday how much of a burden he will have to shoulder in the coming season without George.
“How much does it cost to lead a team?” Leonard said. “It’s the same as last year. It doesn’t change.”
Leonard has missed the last two postseasons with right knee injuries. In 2023, he suffered a torn right meniscus after the first two games of a five-game series against the Phoenix Suns, which eliminated Los Angeles in the first round. Last postseason, he missed the last three games of the Clippers’ six-game loss to the Dallas Mavericks in the first round because of surgically repaired inflammation in his right knee.
Leonard said during USA Basketball’s training camp that his knee felt “good” and that he planned to play in Wednesday’s friendly against Canada.
“Yeah, I think I’ll have to get dressed tomorrow,” Leonard said. “Everything’s been good so far. (The knee) is neutral and hopefully it’ll stay that way.”
Lou gave his thoughts on Leonard’s performance so far at camp.
“He’s been doing great. He’s been moving the best he’s been since he got hurt (March 31),” Lue told ESPN. “He’s been moving really well. It’s good to see him healthy and moving in the right direction.”
