Kawhi Leonard says Paul George’s departure was ‘no shock’

LAS VEGAS — Kawhi Leonard talked with Paul George all through the season about his contract negotiations and stated he was not shocked when George left to signal with the Philadelphia 76ers.

In his first feedback about George’s departure, Leonard stated Friday that he and George knew what wanted to occur for the duo to remain along with the LA Clippers.

George ended up signing a four-year, $212 million deal in free company with the Sixers.

“We knew what it was earlier than the season,” Leonard stated after USA Basketball’s follow on Tuesday. “We knew what it was going to return right down to. So, we talked the entire manner via.

“It is no shock.”

Clippers coach Ty Lue instructed ESPN that he talked a number of instances with George in an effort to maintain him with the staff. Lue stated “it was robust” dropping his All-Star guard in free company.

“You lose an necessary piece to the staff like PG, it is laborious to interchange,” Lue, an assistant coach for USA Basketball, instructed ESPN. “I am disenchanted that we weren’t in a position to get the deal completed, disenchanted he did not come again. It is robust for the group. We obtained to see how we transfer ahead from right here.

“I talked to him many instances, attempting to see what his mindset was, what we have to do totally different, how we may also help his course of alongside. It is unlucky that he left.”

George stated on his “Podcast P with Paul George” that the Clippers initially supplied him a two-year deal price $60 million, which he described as “disrespectful.” George detailed that the Clips inched their supply up via the season.

When the Clippers signed Leonard to a three-year, $150 million extension in early January, George stated he would have accepted the identical deal. However George stated talks have been tabled across the All-Star break and that after the season was over, he stated he would take the identical extension however with a no-trade clause, one thing the Clippers have been unwilling to do.

George stated earlier than signing with Philadelphia that it was necessary for him to speak with Leonard to let him know of his determination and that Leonard was supportive. George expressed disappointment about not having the ability to play alongside Leonard and end what they got down to do in Los Angeles.

Leonard determined to signal with the Clippers in the summertime of 2019 as a free agent, with George becoming a member of him after being traded from the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder. Enjoying with championship expectations every season, the 2 stars have been unable to get the Clippers previous the Western Convention finals in 2021 because of accidents.

The Clippers have been in a position to hold James Harden, who agreed to a two-year, $70 million free agent deal.

In a media session with choose reporters on Sunday, Leonard stated he supported George’s determination however in any other case didn’t reply questions on him.

Leonard was requested Tuesday how a lot he should shoulder this coming season with out George.

“How a lot will probably be on me to steer the staff?” Leonard stated. “The identical prefer it was final yr. It do not change.”

Leonard was unable to complete the previous two postseasons due to proper knee accidents. In 2023, he tore his proper meniscus after the primary two video games of a five-game sequence with the Phoenix Suns, who eradicated LA within the first spherical. This previous postseason, he missed the ultimate three video games of the Clippers’ six-game loss to the Dallas Mavericks within the first spherical due to irritation in his surgically repaired proper knee.

Leonard stated his knee has felt “good” to this point throughout USA Basketball’s coaching camp and that he plans to go well with up Wednesday towards Canada in an exhibition sport.

“Yeah, I believe I will go well with up tomorrow,” Leonard stated. “All the things’s been good to this point. [The knee has] been at a impartial state, and I hope it stays that manner.”

Lue supplied his tackle Leonard’s efficiency to this point in camp.

“He is been good, the most effective I’ve seen him transfer since he obtained injured [on March 31],” Lue instructed ESPN. “Shifting actually good. It is good to see him wholesome and trending in the proper course.”