Head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers, Ty Lue admits that Paul George’s decision to sign a free agency contract with the Philadelphia 76ers has increased the Clippers’ motivation for the 2024-25 season. When you lose a guy of Paul George’s stature, instantly people think oh, they can’t win or they’re not going to be competitive, Lue told ESPN.
But that just challenges me even more. OK, people are counting us out or people don’t think we’re going to be good. That right there just gives me an extra dose of motivation. I can’t wait to prove everybody wrong, the 47-year-old American added.
Earlier in July, Clippers’ shooting guard George revealed that he would leave the Clippers after five seasons to sign a four-year maximum contract with the 76ers. The 34-year-old American will depart the Clippers team after earning his second straight All-Star nomination, and the ninth of his career, while averaging 22.6 points per game last season.
George made 74 regular starts throughout the season, which was his healthiest when compared to the 2018–19 campaign with the Oklahoma City Thunder. He was a reliable offensive catalyst for the Clippers, averaging 23.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game throughout five seasons and 263 regular-season games in Los Angeles. George’s original player option to stay with the Clippers had a $48.7 million for the 2024–25 season.
The Clippers offered him a three-year, $150 million contract, but the negotiations broke down when the organization refused to budge on George’s demanded no-trade clause, following the team’s elimination from the first round in six games at the hands of the Dallas Mavericks. But the Clippers also made some positive moves this summer, including retaining two of last season’s stars James Harden and Kawhi Leonard.
Derrick Jones Jr., a top-five player for the Mavericks during their run to the 2024 Finals, was another possible starter that the Clippers added. They also strengthened their second unit with players like Nicolas Batum and Kris Dunn, who are more focused on defensive play. Without George, Lue will need to rely on Harden and Leonard to carry this team forward.
Leonard missed the 2024 Paris Olympics due to a knee ailment, but he is expected to be healthy for the start of the season. Given the defensive upgrades made around Harden and Leonard, Lue may be aiming to guide this club back to the playoffs around his two remaining stars come springtime.
