Clippers Rumors: Kawhi Leonard, Paul George May Not Get New 4-Year Max Contracts

Los Angeles Clippers stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are both eligible for four-year max contracts this offseason, but it's not a guarantee that the team will give those deals to the duo.

ESPN's Zach Lowe spoke on the topic on the latest edition of The Lowe Post podcast (1:00:45 mark).

"The biggest subplot in the NBA that not enough people are talking about is Paul George and Kawhi Leonard with the Clippers, being extension eligible. In Kawhi's case in July. I think in Paul George's case in September. Because I just don't think, based on what I've heard, that if those guys walk in the door and ask for four-year max extensions, I don't think the Clippers are just giving them to them."

Leonard and George have both been sensational for the Clippers, even leading the team to its first-ever Western Conference Finals series in 2021.

Leonard, a five-time All-Star and two-time NBA Finals MVP, has posted 25.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game since arriving in L.A. in 2019. George, an eight-time All-Star, has averaged 23.2 points and 6.3 rebounds.

However, both players have suffered numerous injuries that have sidelined them for long periods of time.

Leonard has missed 147 regular-season games over the past four years, including the entire 2021-22 campaign with a partial tear of his right ACL.

George has sat for 119 regular-season games during that span, notably missing three months in 2021-22 with a torn UCL in his right elbow.

Lowe added more commentary on Leonard in particular.

...I mean Kawhi is a black box, I have no idea what's going on with Kawhi. Maybe in some quarters there would be a willingness to recognize the reality that 'we don't play enough for this' and there is negotiating wiggle room. But sometimes with stars, there isn't. Sometimes with stars, you offend them by daring to negotiate. And if that's the case, then there's another wild card in the market as soon as next week because if you know, like, this is not an unknown to the powers to be in Los Angeles or with those representing those players. This is not an unknown playing field."

He also previously said this on the June 21 edition of the Lowe Postpodcast:

"About two days ago, the buzz I started to hear was not trade-related, but that the Clippers were at least considering in the event that Kawhi Leonard, who's eligible for an extension in July, and Paul George, who's eligible for an extension in September... In the event that they asked for an ironclad, four-year max extension apiece, the Clippers were actually prepared to put up a fight.

"I'm not 100 percent sure this is true, this is just the buzz I've been getting, that they're prepared to have a discussion about, 'Listen guys, like, you don't play. You've played like half the games together. We can't give you going into your late 30s, ironclad, guaranteed, all the years extensions.'"

There's also been some chatter this offseason about the possibility of breaking up the Clippers core.

NBA insider Marc Steinreported on June 20 that the Clippers were "at a minimum, attempting to gauge Paul George's trade value and, to hear some describe it, giving real consideration to the idea of disassembling the Kawhi Leonard/George tandem."

Last year's Clippers team earned the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference playoffs but fell to the Phoenix Suns in five games. George missed the entire series with a sprained right knee. Leonard missed the final three games of the series with a right knee sprain as well.

Ultimately, the Clippers may have some big decisions to make regarding the future direction of the team. The Leonard-George tandem, on paper, could very well be good enough to lead L.A. to an NBA title. But injuries have unfortunately capped the team's potential, leading to questions about what's next.

Leonard and George can also both become free agents after the 2023-24 season if they decline their 2024-25 player options, so the Clippers risk losing them for nothing if they walk in free agency next offseason.