It has been almost a 12 months because the L.A. Clippers made the fateful resolution to let former star Paul George go away in free company. That transfer was initially chastised across the NBA, with the Clippers opting to economize by letting the second-best participant go away for nothing.
That after giving up a boatload of belongings to construct round him and Kawhi Leonard. A 12 months later, issues have modified dramatically. The Clippers gained a formidable 50 video games final season after many questioned whether or not they would make the playoffs.
They need to be even higher this 12 months after making stable strikes akin to including Brook Lopez, Chris Paul, John Collins, and Bradley Beal to spherical out the rotation and bolster their depth. In the meantime, the Sixers seem like heading within the flawed path.
The L.A. Clippers simply dodged a Paul George-sized bullet
George performed simply 41 video games final season and seemed as if he had aged 10 years after shifting from L.A. to Philly. Actually, his scoring dropped by greater than six factors per recreation final season.
Instantly, his $212 million contract appears just like the worst within the NBA after it appeared like he was the lacking piece the Sixers wanted to contend for a championship. Hindsight is 20/20, however the Clippers clearly gained that transfer with them having flexibility after opting to construct round Leonard and James Harden within the quick time period.
They’re nonetheless out a lot of their first-round picks because of the disastrous Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder commerce that landed them George and the Harden commerce that paired him with George. Nonetheless, they did the sensible factor by not giving George a max contract to maintain him.
Parting methods with George frees up the Clippers for greater strikes
The Clippers clearly need to contend now however nonetheless have plans to make use of cap area in 2027 and particularly in 2028. That’s in all probability their greatest wager to determining a approach ahead with out a lot of their picks.
Even when they cannot signal a star, they might commerce for one or hire out their cap area to replenish their draft stockpile. They traditionally have not constructed by way of the draft, nor have they been a free company vacation spot, however they’ve an excellent wealthy proprietor and appear to have a transparent plan. These are two nice issues to have.
All informed, the Clippers’ resolution to not re-sign George looks like a genius transfer, a 12 months later. George is on an albatross cope with the Sixers, whereas the Clippers have constructed a aggressive workforce whereas sustaining flexibility going ahead. Sensible transfer by the Clippers.
