The Sixers’ Paul George has no hard feelings toward the Clippers’ brass

LOS ANGELES – As Paul George faces his old team in Los Angeles for the first time Wednesday night, the Philadelphia 76ers star said he has no hard feelings and reflected on how good his relationship was with Steve Ballmer and Clippers management.

But that’s also why, George said, it was so surprising he wasn’t able to remain in a Clippers uniform when contract negotiations with the team didn’t go as planned, resulting in the nine-time All- Star signed a four-year, $212 million contract in free agency with the Sixers.

“I think it’s been a little bit misunderstood or (the) narrative kind of wasn’t written correctly with the relationship with Lawrence (Frank), the relationship with Steve Ballmer,” George said before the Sixers had their morning shootaround at UCLA. “I mean, they were great the whole time I was here.

“Kind of the reason it was such a shocking decision was how it turned out in the end. But they were great. My time here, I think it was kind of refreshing to be around and have that kind of partnership with a front office. And then I think that was probably the highlight of it all (the time with the Clippers) How good they were during my tenure here.”

George said on his podcast that he initially would have taken the same three-year, $150 million extension that Kawhi Leonard received in January. However, as negotiations dragged on, George initiated discussions until after the season. He said that when the Clippers were willing to make him that offer, he would either have a no-trade clause to go with it or a four-year max offer.

Frank, the Clippers’ president of basketball operations, was unwilling to do so either, citing the team’s ability to maintain a viable competitor and the limitations the new collective bargaining agreement has placed on luxury tax-paying second-place teams .

In the middle of last season, when the Clippers were atop the Western standings after a 26-5 tear and appeared to be a title contender, it would have been hard to fathom George not returning.

Frank would have loved to have seen what Leonard, George and James Harden could do with a full camp and season together, but the Clippers drew the line at a fourth year due to concerns about money and George turning 37 after a fourth year. The Clippers wanted to maintain flexibility and hopefully lure a star or two in free agency, just like they did in 2019 when they got Leonard and traded for George.

While Frank said the Clippers were willing to give Leonard and George three more years together, they ended up pivoting after not meeting George’s no-trade clause request and filling out the roster with younger and more defensive-minded players at attractive contracts in the hope. to remain competitive but able to be opportunistic should a star become available in the future.

Ballmer told ESPN he would have loved for George to stay, but he said he also believes the Clippers made the right move in pivoting in an effort to remain competitive and be able to land another star in his best age.

“We were able to get three guys that are tough, hard-playing guys,” Ballmer told ESPN about the signing of Derrick Jones Jr., Kris Dunn and Nico Batum. “And we still have the ability to consistently make ourselves better. So it was the right choice for us.

“Paul obviously thought it was the right choice for him. I’ll miss him. Very good person. Like him a lot except when they play us. Wish him all the best, just not when they play us. And he was a good Clipper.”

George said he understands the business decision made by the Clippers, who will have a video tribute to him Wednesday night. He is looking forward to seeing all his friends and family.

George, who joined Leonard in Los Angeles to try to win a title in their hometown, helped the Clippers reach their only Western Conference Finals appearance in franchise history in 2021. But too many injuries to both players derailed the playoffs during their five seasons together.

“I mean none other than if we were all healthy, that’s the only ‘what if’ we have,” George said. “If we can all stay healthy.”