Leonard is discussing an early contract renewal with the Clippers, but no progress has been made at present, and Paul George will be eligible to discuss an early contract renewal with the Clippers in September. The two brothers now have two years left in their contracts, and their salaries have reached 94 million. They are both players in the 2024-25 season. In other words, if the Clippers don’t renew their contracts with them in advance, Kajiao is likely to enter the free market together next summer. If the Clippers choose to renew their contracts with them in advance, both of them will get a big contract of up to 224 million yuan for four years. The Clippers are still considering it, and some American media speculate that Kajiao will not be renewed in advance, and they will enter the free market together next summer.
At present, the Clippers are still very entangled in the renewal of Kajiao. Will they not renew their contracts? The investment in these seasons has not been received; Renew the contract? The injury of pepper is really scary. Judging from the past three seasons, it seems that the Clippers have not signed two players, but two old-age fathers.
Today’s peppers are like chicken ribs to clippers, which are tasteless to eat and a pity to abandon. Leaving them behind is likely to continue to face the status quo. Without them, it is difficult to find a better cornerstone for team building in the market. Therefore, I think Kajiao’s contract renewal is still full of hope, but it mainly depends on three points.
Before the Clippers decide whether to renew their contract, they will definitely make an assessment of their injury recovery and personal status. George’s injury last season was really unexpected. He just showed off a cool dunk and broke his leg when he turned around. But at present, his condition has recovered very well. This guy’s body seems to be a bug. He didn’t see the decline of his condition after several injuries, and this time it is likely to be the same. Leonard’s injury is more difficult, and he often can’t play without an accident. However, Leonard is smart enough to choose surgery before negotiating an early contract renewal, which adds uncertainty to the Clippers’ physical assessment. If Leonard can get rid of the injury, he is definitely one of the strongest players in the league.
Therefore, the assessment of injury is the most important thing to renew the contract in advance. After all, if Kajiao stays healthy, its competitiveness is still very strong.
Although Leonard and George are very strong, it has been proved that they can’t lead the Clippers to win the championship alone, especially in today’s more horrible period. It is tantamount to dreaming to compete for the championship with the existing lineup of the Clippers. The Clippers are well aware of this, so they aim at Harden as the number one signing target. If Harden can join us, there will be a chance for the championship.
Therefore, Harden is likely to be a key to the renewal of Kajiao’s contract. The Clippers’ goal is to win the championship. Boss Ballmer is not short of money. As long as he can win the championship, he will not be stingy with his investment. As long as Harden can join us smoothly, the Clippers will definitely renew Kajiao’s contract, because if Kajiao can’t renew his contract in advance, next season will become their contract year. In order to sign a big contract in the free market, they will definitely focus on health and will not do their best. If so, then Harden’s joining will lose its meaning, which is definitely not what the Clippers want to see.
This is unlikely, but it may also be part of the impact of renewal. Judging from the current competitive state and physical state of Leonard and George, 224 million yuan in four years is definitely high. The Clippers should try to make them choose to reduce their salary, so as to reduce the luxury tax that the team needs to pay and leave some salary space for introducing other reinforcements.
It’s just that it will be difficult to reach a consensus on salary reduction and contract renewal. Leonard is almost 100% sure that he will not reduce his salary. This person has always been like this, and his personal interests are not willing to sacrifice at all. George’s salary reduction is more likely. His personality is similar to Harden’s. Judging from his popularity in the league, he should be more accommodating and willing to consider others. If the Clippers put forward a salary reduction that George can accept, and hope to keep Leonard and get the opportunity to continue to strengthen the team through George’s salary reduction, George will probably agree. After all, George has not been able to win a championship.
The American media almost agree that the Clippers will not renew Leonard and George, but there is a good chance that I will definitely renew my contract. What do you think?