NBA

New Philadelphia 76ers star Paul Georgesaid a “disrespectful” initial contract offer and the lack of a no-trade clause were among the reasons he left his hometown LA Clippers after five seasons.

George, who signed a four-year, $212 million contract to join the 76ers last week, said the Clippers initially offered him two years and $60 million last fall during in-season negotiations that he eventually tabled in February.

“I’m like, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa,” George said on his podcast, “Podcast P.” “Two years, 60? That’s crazy! I’m not signing that.”

When negotiations resumed after the season, George wanted a no-trade clause to go with a three-year, $150 million offer from the Clippers. But he said LA didn’t want to include a no-trade clause or a fourth season on the deal, leading to his decision to team up with NBA MVP center Joel Embiid and 2024 Most Improved Player recipient Tyrese Maxey in Philadelphia.

Quoted most of it here but if anyone wants a 30-day Athletic pass to read the rest just pm me.

I know he was looking for a 4 year deal but the fact that he would’ve taken 3 if it included a no trade clause is new and a bit of a head scratcher that the Clippers were willing to let him walk over that. Presumably they offered him the 3 to match with Kawhi and the plan would be to have them play out the contacts to get people in the new stadium even if they’re not contenders. But it was pretty clear that this team wasn’t going far so maybe the tax bill was too high even for the Clippers.