The Los Angeles Clippers have signed their All Star forward, Paul George, to a four year $190 million maximum contract extension. With the remaining one year left on his previous agreement George will earn up to $226 million over the course of the upcoming five years. He is already guaranteed $35.4 million for the forthcoming NBA season which is scheduled to begin on Friday, December 11th, 2020.

Previously Paul had a player option for the upcoming 2020 – 2021 NBA season, but now that his contract was extended, he now has a player option for the 2024 – 2025 NBA season. George is now set to become an unrestricted free agent prior to the 2025 – 2026 season of the National Basketball Association.

Paul George’s Basketball Background

 George was born and raised in Palmdale, California where he attended Knight High School while idolizing the late great Los Angeles Lakers star, Kobe Bryant. Paul did not play organized basketball until he was a high school freshman, and everything took off from there.

Upon finishing high school George decided to enroll at California State University, Fresno, which is more commonly known as Fresno State. During his solid two years of playing basketball with the Bulldogs of Fresno State, Paul averaged 15.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 2.0 steals, and 0.9 blocks per game.

Paul George’s Professional Basketball Career

 The Indiana Pacers secured George with the 10th overall selection in the first round of the 2010 NBA draft. Over the 7 seasons Paul played with Indiana Pacers Paul worked his way into becoming one of the elite players in the National Basketball Association. On July 6th, 2017 George was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Victor Oladipo as well as Domantas Sabonis.

The exceptional shooting forward spent only a couple of years with the Oklahoma City Thunder until they eventually traded him on July 10th, 2019 to the Los Angeles Clippers for Shai Gilgeous – Alexander, Danilo Gallinari, five first round draft picks, and the rights to swap two other first round picks.

The 2019 – 2020 Los Angeles Clippers

By adding the skills and talents of Paul George to their roster prior to the beginning of the 2019 – 2020 NBA season, superstar Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers thought they would be able to take control of their home city over the Los Angeles Lakers. Unfortunately for the Clippers they were knocked out of the 2020 NBA playoffs early while LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and the rest of the Los Angeles Lakers went on to win the NBA championship last season.

This may be the last chance for the Los Angeles Clippers to win a title with this core team as Leonard is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent after this upcoming 2020 – 2021 NBA season. George is absolutely hoping that Kawhi follows in his footsteps and signs a contract extension with the Los Angeles Clippers in order to have multiple chances at winning a NBA title.

Paul George’s Career NBA Achievements, Honors, and Awards

  • 6 Time NBA All Star (2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)
  • All NBA First Team (2019)
  • 4 Time All NBA Third Team (2013, 2014, 2016, 2018)
  • 2 Time NBA All Defensive First Team (2014, 2019)
  • 2 Time NBA All Defensive Second Team (2013, 2016)
  • NBA All Rookie Second Team (2011)
  • NBA Most Improved Player (2013)
  • NBA Steals Leader (2019)

Media Statements

 “I owe them a trophy,” Paul George responded when he was asked what he owes the Los Angeles Clippers franchise. “I owe them a trophy. That’s what I owe this organization. This is a window that we’re trying to capture. And my commitment and my job is to try to bring a title here.”

 “He’s one of the guys that I talked to and kind of wanted to inform, ‘Hey, this is a decision I wanted to make. I want to be here long term,'” George explained. “It’s not putting a gun to Kawhi and telling him he’s gotta do this or do that. Hopefully it’s a mutual bond, and we both enjoy playing with one another.”

 “Again, it’s Kawhi’s decision,” George goes on to say. “I’m a grown man. If he decides to go elsewhere, that’s a decision that I’ll be happy for him. But my hoping and my responsibility — what I would love is to play with him for the rest of my contract or the rest of his contract. I guess I have to work on that when it comes to his time.”