Why the Clippers don’t regret turning down Paul George’s offer to the Warriors

Los Angeles Clippers still have slim title hopes can their superstar Kawhi Leonard get healthy and hope to stay afloat in the crowded Western Conference playoff picture in the meantime. On Wednesday evening I saw return of Paul George to face his former team after joining the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Clippers lost George to free agency this summer instead of trading him early last season, and some wondered why Los Angeles decided to let him go for nothing.

Now, more light is being shed on why the Clippers don’t regret turning down trade offers from teams like the Golden State Warriors, according to The Athletic’s Sam Amick.

If the Clippers agreed to make a deal, with the most likely scenario being Golden State sending Andrew Wiggins, Chris Paul, Moses Moody and a first-rounder in exchange for George, team sources say the luxury in the second apron The tax penalties that could follow would be a total cost of approximately $110 million,” Amick said.

“The Clippers had serious interest in Warriors fourth-year forward Jonathan Kuminga and likely would have made a deal if he had been included along with a first-round pick, but team sources say he was never truly available.”

The Warriors are really high on young Jonathan Kuminga as the team’s future at small forward.

Did the Clippers make the right move?

Losing the second-best player (and perhaps most reliable) to free agency for nothing is obviously never an ideal scenario, but there is something to be said about the financial aspect of why the Clippers ultimately decided to decline Warriors offer: And also the fact that they didn’t get what they asked for.

The Clippers have made some good signings in free agency this year, including bringing back forward Nicolas Batum as well as former NBA Finals player Derrick Jones Jr.

James Harden has managed to turn back the clock at least a little while he waits for Leonard to return, but the injury situation is as murky as ever, leaving it unclear when or if their best player will return to the lineup at any time. soon.

Either way, the Clippers next play on the road against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night. This game is scheduled to begin at 10:00 pm ET.