Los Angeles Clippers general manager Lawrence Frank is determined to retain stars James Harden and Paul George moving forward.
“We hope his decision is to stay here… but also respect if his decision is to opt out. We’ll see how things play out,” Frank said regarding George.
George, who has a $48.8 million player option for next season, desires a contract extension with the Clippers, although negotiations have been challenging. There are speculations that George might opt in and immediately seek a trade.
During the past season, the 34-year-old George showcased impressive stats, averaging 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 33.8 minutes per game.
“We very much want James to remain a Clipper and hope he does the same,” Frank expressed regarding Harden, who is an unrestricted free agent.
Harden, 34, had a productive season, averaging 16.6 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 8.5 assists in 34.3 minutes per game. His future with the team remains uncertain as negotiations continue.
The upcoming decisions of George and Harden will significantly impact the Clippers’ roster dynamics and competitiveness in the Western Conference.
