Kawhi Leonard was not surprised that Paul George left the Clippers

Clippers star Kawhi Leonard, taking part in a Team USA practice on Sunday in Las Vegas, has looked “pretty good” during training camps considering he just returned from injury. (Mercedes Oliver / NBAE via Getty Images )

Kawhi Leonard sat in chair and peered down at reporters after Team USA practice Tuesday, looking uninterested but at least willing to talk about Paul George leaving the Clippers, saying it was “no surprise” that his running mate for five years in Los Angeles took a four-year, $212-million deal from the Philadelphia 76ers.

Leonard said he and George had conversations all season about their contract extensions. Leonard agreed to a three-year, $152-million deal deal in January, a deal that was offered to and eventually turned down by George.

On his “Podcast P with Paul George,” George said it was important to keep Leonard informed of his contract status.

Leonard initially declined to talk about George during his interview session Sunday but later clarified he didn’t have a problem with George’s decision.

Two days later, Leonard had a little more to say about George and how he wasn’t surprised by the move.

“No, I mean, we knew what it was before the season,” Leonard said. “So, we knew what it was going to come down to. So, we talked the whole way through. No surprise.”

Read more: Paul George ‘never wanted to leave’ Clippers, but says initial offer was disrespectful

The two came together in 2019 and were hailed as the pair of players who had the two-way talent to lead the Clippers to their first NBA championship.

It never happened.

The Clippers reached the Western Conference finals in 2021.

But the story of Leonard and George’s time together was hampered by injuries, stopping any chance of reaching the mountaintop.

Now, with George gone, Leonard was asked how much of the burden will be on him to lead the Clippers in the uber-tough West.

“How much will be on me to lead the team?” Leonard said, repeating the question. “The same like it was last year. It don’t change.”

Last season, it resulted in the Clippers posting a 51-31 record and finishing the regular season as the fourth…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/kawhi-leonard-not-surprised-paul-232342908.html

Author : LA Times

Publish date : 2024-07-09 23:23:42

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