Los Angeles Clippers Expected To Make Strong Bids To Keep Two Of Their Stars

Lue spoke about his contract situation following the Clippers being eliminated by the Mavericks last night. Lue has one year left on his deal.

“I hope so. I didn’t come here to bounce around and go all over the place,” Lue said when asked whether he expected to be with the Clippers long-term. “Mr. [Steve] Ballmer showed me a lot of different things that I wouldn’t be privy to if I wasn’t here. Lawrence [Frank], being an ex-coach who actually knows the game, who actually can talk basketball — offense and defense and understand the game — so that’s really good for me as well. Trent Redden, who I’ve been with — I was in Cleveland, I won a championship with — so we have a great relationship. And Mark Hughes, he actually coached me when I was in Orlando when he was with Doc [Rivers]. So just having a great relationship with the owner, the front office, it’s great, so I would love to be here long-term.”

Decisions

Los Angeles has 11 players under contract for next season, with salaries totaling over $168.9 million. However, George ($48.9 million), P.J. Tucker ($11.5 million), and Russell Westbrook ($4.07 million) have player options. Kai Jones’ deal ($2.1 million) is nonguaranteed.

So, there are decisions all around that need to be made. Here is more from Law and Murray:

“It starts with George, the 34-year-old, nine-time All-Star whose forthcoming free agency was never part of this plan. But the complications won’t end there, with Harden, coach Ty Lue, and Westbrook all facing nuanced negotiations of their own as they all decide whether the desire to recommit to the Clippers is mutual.”

In addition to the decisions discussed, the Clippers have three other players who will be free agents this summer: Mason Plumlee (UFA), Daniel Theis, and Brandon Boston (restricted). The Clippers have eight players eligible for an extension this spring, per ESPN’s Boby Marks.

Paul George

George and the Clippers have been discussing an extension all season long. Obviously, nothing substantial has come of those discussions, and it is expected that the 34-year-old opt out of his player option if an extension isn’t worked out beforehand. If George does become a free agent, he is expected to garner a lot of attention from teams with salary cap room. The Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic Have already been mentioned as potential suitors for the nine-time all-star.

George remains one of the best two-way wings. George is not quite the scorer he was with OKC, but he is one of the best 3-point shooters in the league, averaging 3.1 treys while knocking them down at a 39.7% clip.

George, a native of Los Angeles County, spoke with ESPN’s Ohm Youngmiusk following the Clippers’ elimination last night and was noncommittal about his future.

“If it works that way, absolutely. … I’m not even focused on that yet. I got a lot to kind of digest myself, so I haven’t even got to that yet. Look forward to kind of going back, just letting everything kind of decompress, talk to my family, be around family support and then address the next step. … Yeah, it’s just not where I’m there. I’m not there yet.“

James Harden

Harden is 34 and has forced his way out from his previous teams, Houston, Philadelphia, and Brooklyn. Harden wanted a max contract from Philadelphia, but he is an LA native. While Harden didn’t have a great regular season, he did play well in the playoffs, compiling 21.2 points, 8.0 assists, and 3.0 treys while shooting .449/.383/.906.

Law and Murray reported that “team and league sources say that both sides want this partnership to continue.”

Russell Westbrook

Westbrook was reportedly not happy with his sixth-man role this season. He did play well despite seeing just 22 minutes a game, though, finishing seventh in sixth-man of the year voting. The 34-year-old LA native, who struggled in the playoffs, does have a player option for the upcoming season.