"Go get your bag, P" – PG shares Kawhi understood his decision to go to the Philadelphia 76ers

The storyline that dominated the early days of the NBA's free agency period was where Paul George would end up. After declining his $48 million player option, it was clear that PG-13 would no longer be returning to the Los Angeles Clippers, and the nine-time All-Star made sure to let his All-Star teammate and close friend Kawhi Leonard know what was going to happen before anything was reported in the media.

According to the 6-foot-9 wingman, Kawhi understood his reasons and did not hesitate to support his decision to head east to join the Philadelphia 76ers.

Owed Kawhi an earnest conversation

PG-13 and 'The Klaw' arrived to the Clippers in 2019, hoping to bring the franchise to the next level. For a moment, the Clips' were on the right track as they made it to the 2021 Western Conference Finals. However, injuries to Kawhi and Paul prevented the team from truly realizing their potential.

Ultimately, the former Fresno State star decided to move on from L.A. and join forces with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey in Philadelphia. George expressed that he owed Leonard an earnest conversation before making his decision public out of respect for their friendship and the time they spent together as teammates.

"I owed Kawhi that conversation. I called him up and said, 'Listen, I think I'm going to go elsewhere.' Conversations with the Clippers didn't go how I wanted them to. I broke down to him how it all played out, and we had that conversation. I told him I had to do what was best for me. He understood and said, 'Go get your bag, P. I can't even be mad at you,'" the 14-year vet revealed on his podcast.

The decision weighed heavily on Paul, who felt conflicted about leaving one of his closest friends in the league. However, with the egregious offers the Clippers were making, PG thought he should take the best offer and secure his financial future, eventually signing a four-year, $212 million deal with the Sixers.

"I look at Kawhi as one of my best friends in this league, someone I truly connect with. Our families love each other. It was tough to leave him, considering how much I enjoyed being out there with him. That was a big decision weighing on me—knowing I was leaving my boy," the six-time All-NBA selection asserted.

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Kawhi anticipated PG's departure

Speaking from Team USA's training camp in Las Vegas, Leonard said he knew what would happen since Paul apprised him of the latest developments regarding his contract negotiations. "The Klaw" had already signed a three-year, $153 million extension in January, a contract that George also wanted to have. However, the Clippers' management refused to play ball.

"We knew what it was before the season. We knew what it was going to come down to. So, we talked the whole way through," the two-time NBA Finals MVP relayed . "It's no surprise."

With George gone from the Clippers, more would be placed on Leonard's plate as he tries to lead a new-look squad that picked up numerous role players to fill the gaping hole left by his All-Star teammate's absence. However, it remains to be seen if his body can hold under the added pressure and if he can continue to perform at an elite level without PG by his side.

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