A resurfaced video of Paul George from 2020 has recently gone viral, in which he emphatically promised to bring a championship to the Los Angeles Clippers.
"I owe them a trophy. That’s what I owe this organization. This is a window that we’re trying to capture. My commitment and my job is to bring a title here."
This promise was made shortly after George signed a four-year max contract extension with the Clippers, solidifying his long-term commitment to the team.
Fast forward to 2024, Paul George has opted out of his contract with the Clippers and signed a four-year max deal worth $212 million with the Philadelphia 76ers . This move marks the end of George's five-season tenure with the Clippers, a period marked by individual success but ultimate team disappointment in achieving a championship.
During his time with the Clippers, George was a standout performer, averaging 23.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.4 blocks per game while shooting 45.5% from the field and 39.7% from three-point range.
These impressive stats were amassed over 263 games, in which the Clippers achieved a solid record of 170-93. However, their playoff performance was less consistent, with a 19-19 record in postseason play.
Despite the regular season success and the individual accolades, which included three All-Star selections and a third-team All-NBA nod, the Clippers fell short of capturing the NBA championship that George had vowed to deliver. Various factors, including injuries and stiff competition, contributed to the team's inability to secure the coveted trophy.
George's departure to the 76ers signifies a new chapter for both him and the Clippers. While he aims to bring his championship promise to fruition in Philadelphia, the Clippers are left to regroup and refocus their efforts on building a championship-contending team without one of their key stars.
The video serves as a reminder of the high expectations and pressures that come with superstar commitments in the NBA, and the unpredictable nature of fulfilling championship aspirations.
As George begins his journey with the 76ers, both he and the Clippers will reflect on what could have been and what lies ahead in their respective quests for NBA glory. The viral video underscores the emotional and professional weight carried by star players as they navigate the complexities of delivering on their promises in the highly competitive landscape of the NBA.
The Clippers Trade For Paul George Goes Down As The Worst In NBA History
The trade that brought Paul George to the Los Angeles Clippers from the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2019 is arguably the worst trade in NBA history. The Clippers gave up a monumental haul: four unprotected first-round picks, one lottery-protected first-round pick, two first-round pick swaps, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Danilo Gallinari.
This massive exchange was aimed at securing a star to pair with Kawhi Leonard , but the results have been far from expected.
The Thunder's bounty from this trade has already yielded significant returns, with more still to come. The 2021 first-rounder, via Miami, ended up as the 18th pick, which OKC used to draft guard Tre Mann. Although Mann's impact has been limited so far, the 2022 first-rounder became a pivotal asset.
This pick, conveyed at No. 12, allowed the Thunder to draft Jalen Williams from Santa Clara. Williams finished second in Rookie of the Year voting behind Paolo Banchero and has been averaging 17.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in his second season, showing the potential to become a star.
Moreover, the Thunder still hold the right to swap picks with the Clippers in 2025, a 2025 first-round pick (lottery-protected via Miami, becoming unprotected in 2026 if it doesn’t convey), a 2025 second-round pick (protected via Atlanta), and a unprotected 2026 first-round pick from the Clippers. The potential future benefits further highlight the enormity of the haul received for George.
Paul George, at the time of the trade, was coming off an MVP-caliber season with the Thunder, where he averaged 28.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 2.2 steals, and 0.4 blocks. He finished third in both MVP and Defensive Player of the Year voting and made the All-NBA First Team and the All-NBA Defensive First Team. His stellar performance justified the Clippers' significant investment.
However, in the five years George spent with the Clippers, the team failed to win a championship. Plagued by injuries and inconsistent postseason performances, George's tenure did not yield the desired results. The ultimate blow came when he left in free agency, signing a four-year max contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, leaving the Clippers with nothing in return for their hefty investment.
In contrast, the Thunder have emerged as the clear winners. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has blossomed into a top-five player in the league, earning All-NBA First Team honors in the past two seasons. At just 25 years old, he has become the franchise cornerstone. Jalen Williams also shows great promise, and with more picks on the horizon, the Thunder’s future looks exceedingly bright.
In retrospect, the Clippers' gamble on Paul George, while initially promising, has turned into a cautionary tale of high-risk trades in the NBA. Meanwhile, the Thunder’s patient, long-term strategy has positioned them as potential future contenders, making this trade one of the most lopsided in NBA history.
Paul George Promised Every Team He Played For That He Wouldn't Leave
Paul George has developed a reputation for making grand promises of loyalty to every team he has played for, only to leave soon after. His words and subsequent actions have created a narrative of broken promises and unexpected departures, often occurring in the dead of night, adding a peculiar twist to his career moves.
When George was with the Indiana Pacers , he pledged his commitment to the team, stating, "My goal is to win one here. I never want to leave Indy." Despite this, he was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2017, marking the first instance of his unfulfilled promise.
Upon re-signing with the Thunder, George declared, "I'm here to stay. We can bring this thing home." This assurance gave the franchise and its fans hope for a stable future with George as a key player. However, this commitment was short-lived. In 2019, he was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in a sign-and-trade deal, leaving OKC behind.
In Los Angeles, George once again expressed his loyalty, saying, "This is where my heart is. I want to retire a Clipper." Yet, in a surprising turn of events, George opted out of his contract with the Clippers and signed a four-year max deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. This latest move underscores his pattern of making heartfelt commitments to teams only to depart soon after.
Adding to the intrigue of George's career moves is the timing of his departures. Each of his trades and signings has been reported after midnight. He was traded to the Pacers at 12:57 AM, signed and traded to the Clippers at 2:02 AM, and signed with the Sixers at 3:31 AM. This unusual timing has become a curious footnote in George's career, further highlighting the unexpected nature of his transitions.
Paul George's career is marked by his remarkable talent and equally notable pattern of unfulfilled promises of loyalty. Each move has left fans and franchises wondering what could have been, as he continues to forge his path in the NBA.
Related: 2024 NBA Free Agency: All The Deals Completed On Day 1
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