The LA Clippers face an uncertain offseason after their early exit from the playoffs, with questions surrounding the futures of key players such as Paul George and James Harden. George has a player option worth $48.8 million for next season, while Harden will become an unrestricted free agent. The decisions of these two players will have a significant impact on the direction of the Clippers going forward.
Following their Game 6 loss to the Dallas Mavericks, both George and Harden expressed uncertainty about their future with the team. George, when asked if he sees himself with the Clippers long term, responded with an ambiguous “Yeah.” Harden, on the other hand, admitted that he hasn’t thought about his contract situation yet, leaving fans and analysts speculating about what lies ahead for the star-studded team.
The Clippers front office faces a challenging offseason as they try to keep their core group together. The franchise is reportedly looking to extend head coach Ty Lue’s contract to avoid him entering the final year of his deal. With the team likely to exceed a $200 million payroll next season, they will have limited flexibility to make significant improvements to the roster, especially if George or Harden decide to leave.
The Clippers’ season was marred by injuries and inconsistency, with Kawhi Leonard missing significant time due to a knee issue. Despite a strong start to the season that saw them climb to the top of the Western Conference standings, the team struggled down the stretch, ultimately falling to the Mavericks in the first round of the playoffs. George’s improved performance and Harden’s contributions were not enough to carry the team to a deep postseason run.
As the Clippers enter the offseason, all eyes will be on George and Harden as they weigh their options. With Leonard already signed to a lucrative extension, the future of the team hinges on the decisions of these two stars. Clippers fans will have to wait and see how the offseason unfolds, with the hopes of retaining their core group and making another run at a championship in the upcoming season.
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