The $270 million dollar question

[DS17]

Paul George will be a Clipper. Grew up a fan of the Clips, now his dream will come true

Why would any marquee free agent pick the Clippers over the Lakers at this point. Lakers have a group of developing young players needing a lead dog. You get to be the face of THE premiere franchise in the association. There's room to bring another top tier running mate to help you contend right away. And, oh yeah, factor in the Clippers straight up just dirtied the previous face of their organization. Good luck selling the Clippers over the Lakers anytime soon.

The premiere franchise in the league Feels good to hear from non laker fans

[LakersSoul]

Maybe if Presti asks super nicely

What is Presti and OKC doing?

Is the injury to Andre really disrupting OKC? They were on a roll winning 8 in a row. Now, they have lost 3 in a row to Washington, Denver, and NO. They sit in 5th spot in the playoff picture and their future prospects do not look great. They look like a top 4-7 team in the west and possibly win their opening playoff series only at best.

I dont know how OKC can handle a top 4-7 team coupled with luxury tax and possibly the repeat offender tax in a small market. In hindsight, the PG and Melo trades are looking a bit confusing. They traded younger player for two older and more offensive minded players that need the ball in their hands. This is not what Presti and OKC had envisioned. Right now in 5th place, I just dont see them continuing this path by re-signing PG to $30 million dollar even if they get the chance. Will they continue to pay luxury tax and repeat offender tax for 5th place? Can they afford it?

Like the Clippers, they might make a quick turnaround move, unloading some vets. First let PG go for 1-2 assets. Then the year after, they remove/buyout Melo. Then they can start building again with Westbrook and Adams as their top 2 guys which sucks but they will avoid a big chunk of the luxury and repeat taxes after one year. It will piss Westbrook off but its the right move for OKC as they just dont have the horses to fight Houston or GSW or the taxes.

Well they have a week to deal PG. Gonna have to work quickly.

Trading for a non-expiring Melo really was pretty stinky move then and it smells much worse every day that goes by

PG has three options over the summer:

1. PG re-signs with OKC
2. PG signs for a team without cap space so they get 1-2 assets back in a trade.
3. PG signs with a cap space team (Lakers) and they get back Zero.

OKC is in trouble. Even if OKC wants to trade him right now, no teams will give them any prized assets for a few month rental for that steep of a price. They just have to keep him and make a good run in the playoffs to get some money from selling tickets. If OKC trades him, then they are saying we are not competing this year and Westbrook/OKC fans will be pissed. The fans will stop supporting and buying the tickets for a team that trades away PG for peanuts to add 1-2 weaker assets. OKC cannot do this as it will kill the franchise.

OKC will wait for the summer and semi-pray that they can sign PG. If they resign him, then they build a team around Westbrook, PG, Adams who will get roughly 90 million which is a good spot to be in. They just have to eat Melo's salary for 1 more year. Then they add all midlevel exceptions/suporting cast/rookies on the cheap and try to compete with Houston and GSW. In 2019, OKC will be a good team without heavy luxury tax hit after Melo moves on.

If PG leaves and signs with the Lakers/other teams then they will hope PG signs with a limited cap space team, like Chris Paul, then they can get some picks or something worthwhile back. If he signs with the Lakers, then they get nothing and turn the table on Paul George as the bad guy. In this case, you can keep Melo or just buy him out and get the franchise looking towards the future.

Tricky few years for OKC. Will they try to resign PG and eat Melo's 1 year salary which will mean huge luxury and repeat tax payments but just for 1 year. Or will they let PG walk and save a ton of cash. In this sceanrio, after Melo contract buyout, they can start over with only Westbrook and Adams as their cornerstones and save face as they make PG the bad guy.

I bet Presti is not sleeping well these days as he has to deal with the owners and convince them on his vision.

[Alonzo_Morning]

What is Presti and OKC doing?

Is the injury to Andre really disrupting OKC? They were on a roll winning 8 in a row. Now, they have lost 3 in a row to Washington, Denver, and NO. They sit in 5th spot in the playoff picture and their future prospects do not look great. They look like a top 4-7 team in the west and possibly win their opening playoff series only at best.

I dont know how OKC can handle a top 4-7 team coupled with luxury tax and possibly the repeat offender tax in a small market. In hindsight, the PG and Melo trades are looking a bit confusing. They traded younger player for two older and more offensive minded players that need the ball in their hands. This is not what Presti and OKC had envisioned. Right now in 5th place, I just dont see them continuing this path by re-signing PG to $30 million dollar even if they get the chance. Will they continue to pay luxury tax and repeat offender tax for 5th place? Can they afford it?

Like the Clippers, they might make a quick turnaround move, unloading some vets. First let PG go for 1-2 assets. Then the year after, they remove/buyout Melo. Then they can start building again with Westbrook and Adams as their top 2 guys which sucks but they will avoid a big chunk of the luxury and repeat taxes after one year. It will piss Westbrook off but its the right move for OKC as they just dont have the horses to fight Houston or GSW or the taxes.

Well they have a week to deal PG. Gonna have to work quickly.

Trading for a non-expiring Melo really was pretty stinky move then and it smells much worse every day that goes by

PG has three options over the summer:

1. PG re-signs with OKC
2. PG signs for a team without cap space so they get 1-2 assets back in a trade.
3. PG signs with a cap space team (Lakers) and they get back Zero.

OKC is in trouble. Even if OKC wants to trade him right now, no teams will give them any prized assets for a few month rental for that steep of a price. They just have to keep him and make a good run in the playoffs to get some money from selling tickets. If OKC trades him, then they are saying we are not competing this year and Westbrook/OKC fans will be pissed. The fans will stop supporting and buying the tickets for a team that trades away PG for peanuts to add 1-2 weaker assets. OKC cannot do this as it will kill the franchise.

OKC will wait for the summer and semi-pray that they can sign PG. If they resign him, then they build a team around Westbrook, PG, Adams who will get roughly 90 million which is a good spot to be in. They just have to eat Melo's salary for 1 more year. Then they add all midlevel exceptions/suporting cast/rookies on the cheap and try to compete with Houston and GSW. In 2019, OKC will be a good team without heavy luxury tax hit after Melo moves on.

If PG leaves and signs with the Lakers/other teams then they will hope PG signs with a limited cap space team, like Chris Paul, then they can get some picks or something worthwhile back. If he signs with the Lakers, then they get nothing and turn the table on Paul George as the bad guy. In this case, you can keep Melo or just buy him out and get the franchise looking towards the future.

Tricky few years for OKC. Will they try to resign PG and eat Melo's 1 year salary which will mean huge luxury and repeat tax payments but just for 1 year. Or will they let PG walk and save a ton of cash. In this sceanrio, after Melo contract buyout, they can start over with only Westbrook and Adams as their cornerstones and save face as they make PG the bad guy.

I bet Presti is not sleeping well these days as he has to deal with the owners and convince them on his vision.

Re: the CP scenario, it was a sign and trade with LA so Houston could keep his bird rights and also give a few assets back.

[OkcSinceSGA]

Really?! He grew up a Clipper fan???

Yes. Grew up watching both teams but liked the Clippers more. Has said so in interviews. He was really mad Clippers didn't draft him.

Huh...I'm just shocked because every time I read any discussions about him wanting to play LA they never mention the Clippers n I would have just thought they'd at least speculate him going there especially when you previously had a couple of pieces there and Jerry West but it's always about the Lakers.

I'd rather see him become a Clipper because of how spoiled the Lakers' franchise has been but was just genuinely surprised he was one because he would have grown up during the Shaq/Kobe era.

Yep.

"With teams such as the Los Angeles Clippers (his favorite team growing up)", Utah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies and Milwaukee Bucks all looking for a dynamic swingman who can create, shoot and defend, the chance of George being picked in the 8-15 range looks very good at the moment. - Source: http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Paul-George-5688.

Then you have this tweet from Pacers reporter/podcaster.

"FWIW: I’ve interviewed PG 100s of times & he’s never said he was a Lakers fan.

Grew up a Clippers fan; that’s where he wanted to be drafted"

-Scott Agness


He was actually pissed the Clippers chose Aminu over him (as was I!) and has made it a point every time he plays the Clippers to kill them. He did say a few times he idolized Kobe, and now he says he was a fan of both LA teams when he's conveniently auditioning for an LA move, but there is no doubt growing up as a kid, it was the Clippers.

[OkcSinceSGA]

One thing I didn't note. Paul George cheated on Callie Rivers and broke her heart. This happens to be the daughter of Doc, sister of Austin Rivers. That could be a huge thing to navigate.

[LightTheBeam]

Not to mention despite all the big names on the Lakers their core is still inferior.

People sleeping on the ability of what the Clippers can do. If I am them, I'd only look to trade Lou Will and Deandre (preferably keep Deandre since I cant see any team give a 1st and expirings for him) if they can get 1st round picks attached to expiring contracts. Fire Doc, maybe his son opts out for long term security after a nice year.

Go into next year with Tobias/Beverly and enough cap to sign Paul George.

For assets Detroit 1st (14-18), Clippers 1st (12-16), Dekker, whatever they get from moving Lou Will.

Option 1. Lebron tells Cleveland hes going to LA, he opts in and does a CP3 style trade with Gallo, Dekker, Clippers 1st going to the Cavs. Otherwise they find another taker for that same package for cap space. Sign Lebron.

Option 2. John Wall moves. They trade Gallo, Beverly, Boban, Lac or Det 1st for Wall. Possibly routing Gallo and some compensation to a 3rd team with something else coming back to Wizards.

Resign Jordan.

Jordan
Tobias
George
Wall

4 core pieces between 25-29 years old.

Or

Jordan
Tobias
Lebron
George/Wade
Beverly/Milos

With Boban, Johnson, Det or Clippers 1st to move for another addition.

This team is better than the current Cavs and the closest thing we have to beating the Warriors.

Not saying either of these will definitely happen, just saying the Clippers have a multi billion dollar owner, A brilliant mind in Jerry West, space to work, assets to deal and are in LA.

Gallinari is a bad contract. He makes $21.6 and $22.6 the next two seasons. So essentially you are asking to trade a bad contract, a mid 1st rounder, and possibly some expirings for LeBron or Wall.

Cavs wont do that. Lose LeBron while capping themselves out for mid st rounder. Ugh.

Wizards might do it if they change their mind about Wall and think he is grossly overpaid (like LAC and Blake).

Cavs would essentially look at it as a jump start to the rebuild. Add a late lotto pick for taking on 2 years of Gallo. If they wouldnt do it, Chicago and Dallas are both options this summer. Dallas is waiting for Dirk to retire and hes probably got at least 1 year left in his so essentially they bring Gallo in to play PF next to Dirk and Barnes. While adding another late lotto to their 2018 1st and DSJ.

Wizards are playing fantastic ball without Wall. They have some serious cap issues coming up. Removing 37 million off the books in Wall for 2 years of Gallo while also picking up a cheap player in the late lotto might make some real sense. And Beverly seems like a real good pg to put next to Beal.

[BramptonYute]

paul george isnt staying

[getitdone323]

Yes. Grew up watching both teams but liked the Clippers more. Has said so in interviews. He was really mad Clippers didn't draft him.

Huh...I'm just shocked because every time I read any discussions about him wanting to play LA they never mention the Clippers n I would have just thought they'd at least speculate him going there especially when you previously had a couple of pieces there and Jerry West but it's always about the Lakers.

I'd rather see him become a Clipper because of how spoiled the Lakers' franchise has been but was just genuinely surprised he was one because he would have grown up during the Shaq/Kobe era.

Yep.

"With teams such as the Los Angeles Clippers (his favorite team growing up)", Utah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies and Milwaukee Bucks all looking for a dynamic swingman who can create, shoot and defend, the chance of George being picked in the 8-15 range looks very good at the moment. - Source: http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Paul-George-5688.

Then you have this tweet from Pacers reporter/podcaster.

"FWIW: I’ve interviewed PG 100s of times & he’s never said he was a Lakers fan.

Grew up a Clippers fan; that’s where he wanted to be drafted"

-Scott Agness


He was actually pissed the Clippers chose Aminu over him (as was I!) and has made it a point every time he plays the Clippers to kill them. He did say a few times he idolized Kobe, and now he says he was a fan of both LA teams when he's conveniently auditioning for an LA move, but there is no doubt growing up as a kid, it was the Clippers.

I just cant see him going to the Clippers, they just have the step-brother feel to them when it comes to LA. The last 5 years the clippers were contenders for the most part a well ran franchise, yet people still cared more about the lakers(cap space, turmoil, how their draft picks played). The clippers had their chance to be "The Team" in LA but no one cared and they failed. I dont think the clippers will ever go back to being what they were pre-cp3/BG era, but they need to go to another market to get more respect (Seattle, San Diego)

[OkcSinceSGA]

Huh...I'm just shocked because every time I read any discussions about him wanting to play LA they never mention the Clippers n I would have just thought they'd at least speculate him going there especially when you previously had a couple of pieces there and Jerry West but it's always about the Lakers.

I'd rather see him become a Clipper because of how spoiled the Lakers' franchise has been but was just genuinely surprised he was one because he would have grown up during the Shaq/Kobe era.

Yep.

"With teams such as the Los Angeles Clippers (his favorite team growing up)", Utah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies and Milwaukee Bucks all looking for a dynamic swingman who can create, shoot and defend, the chance of George being picked in the 8-15 range looks very good at the moment. - Source: http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Paul-George-5688.

Then you have this tweet from Pacers reporter/podcaster.

"FWIW: I’ve interviewed PG 100s of times & he’s never said he was a Lakers fan.

Grew up a Clippers fan; that’s where he wanted to be drafted"

-Scott Agness


He was actually pissed the Clippers chose Aminu over him (as was I!) and has made it a point every time he plays the Clippers to kill them. He did say a few times he idolized Kobe, and now he says he was a fan of both LA teams when he's conveniently auditioning for an LA move, but there is no doubt growing up as a kid, it was the Clippers.

I just cant see him going to the Clippers, they just have the step-brother feel to them when it comes to LA. The last 5 years the clippers were contenders for the most part a well ran franchise, yet people still cared more about the lakers(cap space, turmoil, how their draft picks played). The clippers had their chance to be "The Team" in LA but no one cared and they failed. I dont think the clippers will ever go back to being what they were pre-cp3/BG era, but they need to go to another market to get more respect (Seattle, San Diego)

I was more trolling when I said he's going to the Clippers. I also agree that it's pathetic how the Clippers fanbase has had that 2nd hand feel. LA is big enough for two great basketball teams, but the fans proved they just don't care much. Pre CP3, we had an amazing, but not big fanbase. Now once CP3 left and took all the bandwagon fans, those old school fans seem gone somewhat. I think bare minimum they need their own arena, but I'd love a San Diego or Seattle move. I live an hour and a half outside of Seattle now, so I'd selfishly love this move. I'm not sure why Ballmer promised not to do that. It would be best for everyone. From a purely basketball perspective Lakers have better young guys RN, but Clippers have overall better team and I trust their front office more now with Jerry West (which I'm sure you do too as a Lakers fan). Seems to be turmoil right now with Magic and Polinka.

[JellosJigglin]

Read on Twitter

[John Murdoch]

Presti still made the right move going all in. This team has flashes of Iversons Sixers but with Roberson down it changes alot lets see if the can pickup Bradley. But yeah like Woj said they knew this was a one year swing for he fence

[12footrim]

They shoulda kept harden. KD. Westbrook. That's money well spent. 270 for this current collection, is not worth it.

We need a 30 for 30 on what would have happened if they kept Harden. I think it'll happen in like 2030

I watched a pretty interesting video on you tube. Fairly realistic and thoughtful.

Watch on YouTube

[12footrim]

paul george isnt staying

Presti still made the right move going all in. This team has flashes of Iversons Sixers but with Roberson down it changes alot lets see if the can pickup Bradley. But yeah like Woj said they knew this was a one year swing for he fence

Seems pretty obvious. They took a go at it to see how it looked and if he might be more about staying. None of that seems realistic. Makes more sense to trade him to the Cavs for Frye's expiring and the Nets pick and even shumpert would help them. Beats just letting him walk and a maybe 2nd round exit if you are lucky. Cavs would do that deal and probably even throw in sweeteners like Zizic, Osman or a 2nd rounder too if needed.

[Vae Victus]

*vulture opportunist mode activate*

Clippers would take Roberson + Future 1st for Bradley

A FUTURE 1st that is...

[madmaxmedia]

I just cant see him going to the Clippers, they just have the step-brother feel to them when it comes to LA. The last 5 years the clippers were contenders for the most part a well ran franchise, yet people still cared more about the lakers(cap space, turmoil, how their draft picks played). The clippers had their chance to be "The Team" in LA but no one cared and they failed. I dont think the clippers will ever go back to being what they were pre-cp3/BG era, but they need to go to another market to get more respect (Seattle, San Diego)

Ballmer paid way to much for a Seattle or San Diego NBA franchise. He's rich, but still...I don't think you buy a LA franchise to move it to a smaller market.

[John Murdoch]

Huh...I'm just shocked because every time I read any discussions about him wanting to play LA they never mention the Clippers n I would have just thought they'd at least speculate him going there especially when you previously had a couple of pieces there and Jerry West but it's always about the Lakers.

I'd rather see him become a Clipper because of how spoiled the Lakers' franchise has been but was just genuinely surprised he was one because he would have grown up during the Shaq/Kobe era.

Yep.

"With teams such as the Los Angeles Clippers (his favorite team growing up)", Utah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies and Milwaukee Bucks all looking for a dynamic swingman who can create, shoot and defend, the chance of George being picked in the 8-15 range looks very good at the moment. - Source: http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Paul-George-5688.

Then you have this tweet from Pacers reporter/podcaster.

"FWIW: I’ve interviewed PG 100s of times & he’s never said he was a Lakers fan.

Grew up a Clippers fan; that’s where he wanted to be drafted"

-Scott Agness


He was actually pissed the Clippers chose Aminu over him (as was I!) and has made it a point every time he plays the Clippers to kill them. He did say a few times he idolized Kobe, and now he says he was a fan of both LA teams when he's conveniently auditioning for an LA move, but there is no doubt growing up as a kid, it was the Clippers.

I just cant see him going to the Clippers, they just have the step-brother feel to them when it comes to LA. The last 5 years the clippers were contenders for the most part a well ran franchise, yet people still cared more about the lakers(cap space, turmoil, how their draft picks played). The clippers had their chance to be "The Team" in LA but no one cared and they failed. I dont think the clippers will ever go back to being what they were pre-cp3/BG era, but they need to go to another market to get more respect (Seattle, San Diego)

If they rebranded and moved from Staples things might turn around but yeah its always going to be a Laker city regardless.

[Dn4sty]

I know this won’t be popular consider all the OKC is a small market, PG won’t stay, they should have kept Harden posts, but surprisingly OKC has one of the wealthiest ownership groups in the league.

Further the ownership had to know an all in scenario existed for next year (Melo opting in and George re-signing).

If it all came together (Melo opting in and George re-signing) it would only be the mega cost for one year (as Melo’s contract comes off the books after next year).

OKC has said all along that they were planning on being in the Tax throughout the prime of Russ/KD. Now that it could be Russ/PG it might not change.