Kawhi Leonard joined the Los Angeles Clippers in 2019 following a championship run with the Toronto Raptors. A Paul George trade took place a few days before Leonard made things official. George was traded from the Oklahoma City Thunder after two seasons with them which brought Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in return. While SGA experiences a breakout stint, LA has only struggled with their superstar duo.
Paul George has averaged 23.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. Unfortunately, the All-Star has not had a full season with the Clippers. Leonard on the other hand averaged 25.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game. Together, they’ve helped the Clippers achieve a .676 winning percentage. The Clippers have won 96 games and lost 46 games.
Since the All-Star joined forces, the Clippers have made the playoffs consistently as they usually do. They managed to reach the Western Conference Finals in 2021 but lost to the Phoenix Suns. This was when Leonard experienced his first career-altering injury with the Clippers. The organization wished to see immediate success with the duo. They even acquired Russell Westbrook last season but injuries held them back from progress.
Paul George and Kawhi Leonard are both on expiring contracts with the Clippers
After his first seasons with the Clippers, Paul George was offered a four-year deal worth $176.6 million. The agreement was made before the 2021-22 season and he’s now entering his third year. George will be paid $45.6 million next season after which he is eligible to sign a player option. If he chooses to opt out of it, he will be eligible to sign an extension worth more than $200 million.
Kawhi Leonard also signed a similar deal around the same time. Leonard made a full-fledged return during the 2022-23 season after an ACL tear. Toward the end of the season, Paul George faced a hyperextended knee which sidelined him for a long time. He also missed the playoffs during which Leonard tore his meniscus.
The Los Angeles Clippers have reportedly left rival teams with the impression that they are gauging Paul George’s trade value, per @TheSteinLine 😳 pic.twitter.com/KSwsM43CUE
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) June 21, 2023
LA is in pursuit of much more reliable pieces. It would not be viable to sign two injury-prone players to max deals. Since George has dealt with injuries during every season of his career with the Clippers, the organization is targeting him as a tradeable asset for a top pick. The Portland Trail Blazers have emerged as a top trade destination for George.