Clippers owner Steve Ballmer: We wanted Paul George back, we made him a big offer

"We wanted Paul George back," Steve Ballmer said. "We made him a big offer. We really wanted him here. We just wanted to not put ourselves in a position where we can't consistently be good. We offered them the max for three years and Philly offered them the max for four years. OK, I get it. But in terms of our trajectory and staying really good, it was really going to be an issue for us . "The truth is, with Paul not coming back, we were able to upgrade our team. We don't [sign] Derrick Jones Jr. if Paul comes back. We don't [sign] Kris Dunn, [or have] our new defensive identity. Might not have [signed] Kevin Porter Jr., Nicolas Batum. ... You could say, well, they're not Paul George. No, they're not Paul George."

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Law Murray LawMurrayTheNU Last time Paul George visited Clippers as a visitor He hit this shot to give Thunder lead But he never shot again afterwards, finishing with 15 points on 16 shots Lou Will iced Thunder with this shot, finished with 40 off bench. Gallo outscored Russ 34 to 32. LAC won 118-110. pic.x.com/02KzJR24wp – 10:08 PM Law Murray LawMurrayTheNU The following 76ers and Clippers are on one of the two team's rosters currently and has been on the other team's roster previously: – Paul George – Eric Gordon – KJ Martin – Reggie Jackson – James Harden – Nicolas Batum – Kai Jones – Mo Bamba – PJ Tucker pic.x.com/1bP61GHHCC – 8:44 PM Noah Levick NoahLevick Sixers' injury report for tomorrow night's game against LAC: -Joel Embiid — out (league suspension) -Paul George — probable (left knee bone bruise) – 8:33 PM Austin Krell NBAKrell Joel Embiid is out due to league suspension for tomorrow's game vs the Clippers, meaning he likely would not have been listed out with injury otherwise. As Shams reported, the suspension thus covers games at Clippers, at Lakers and vs Hornets. Paul George is probable. – 8:33 PM Adam Aaronson SixersAdam Sixers officially have Joel Embiid listed as OUT on their injury report for tomorrow, under "League Suspension." No mention of left knee injury management. Additionally, Paul George is listed as PROBABLE (left knee bone bruise). – 8:31 PM Sam Vecenie Sam_Vecenie Paul George didn't play super well last night. And yet, his presence on the court was still ENORMOUS for the 76ers. Totally changed their offense, particularly in empty-side ball-screens Nick Nurse loves to run. Having a true secondary creator on-court opened everything up. pic.x.com/f6A6z6bsMO – 3:40 PM Duane Rankin DuaneRankin From Monday night: Phoenix 118, Philadelphia 116 Final. Suns (6-1) close on 14-3 run. Kevin Durant 15 of his game-high 35 points in 4th quarter. Tyrese Maxey 32. Paul George 15 in 76ers (1-5) debut. 5-game win streak. Face Miami Heat (3-3) Wednesday. #Suns #76ers #Vote2024 pic.x.com/ypp6jHXkAX – 10:00 AM Sam Vecenie Sam_Vecenie Went live after the NBA games last night with Post Game Theory. Talked through and broke down tape on... -Paul George's first game as a 76er -Tari and Amen in Houston -Magic offense without Paolo -Zach Edey's early season development youtube.com/live/g0GY8Fwf6... pic.x.com/kuRp6X6d2I – 7:27 AM Noah Levick NoahLevick Observations after the Sixers couldn't quite close out the Suns in Paul George's debut nbcsportsphiladelphia.com/nba/philadelph... – 1:24 AM Duane Rankin DuaneRankin "Tonight is an example why he's such a great player." Suns coach Mike Budenholzer on Kevin Durant, who hit game winning drive. He was happy with Grayson Allen's defense on Paul George on final possession. Liked Bradley Beal's defense on Tyrese Maxey, who scored 32. #Suns #76ers pic.x.com/dtGsacre0v – 1:20 AM Derek Bodner DerekBodnerNBA Going live now with Kyle and Devon to talk about that heartbreaker of a loss, Paul George's Sixers debut, Yabusele's career night, and more. Come join along! (if you're still up). youtube.com/live/LD4Hohxk7... pic.x.com/G4DCm3dbu2 – 12:50 AM Adam Aaronson SixersAdam Everything I saw in Paul George's Sixers debut, plus a lot of other thoughts: – Sixers finally see benefits of small ball – Tyrese Maxey: Back – Guerschon Yabusele plays hero, but falters in final moments – Kyle Lowry continues to thrive – Much more phillyvoice.com/sixers-vs-suns... – 12:47 AM Austin Krell NBAKrell It did not take long for things to look significantly better with Paul George on the court. But, the Sixers fell from ahead in his debut. Recap focused entirely on how George looked onpattison.com/news/2024/nov/... – 12:45 AM Tony Jones Tjonesonthenba That long two by Paul George needed to be a three, make or miss. If you're going to pull up from 19, step back two feet – 12:40 AM StatMuse statmuse Paul George in his 76ers debut: 15 pic.x.com/79Ov5L5yyH – 12:33 AM Gerald Bourguet GeraldBourguet Wow. KD go-ahead layup, Paul George misses a step-back middy, rebound is batted around and Maxey's 3-point miss was after the buzzer anyway. Suns survive – 12:32 AM Tony Jones Tjonesonthenba Paul George has made such a massive difference tonight for the Sixers. Everything looks different offensively.... If the Sixers can ever get Joel Embiid on the floor.... – 12:04 AM Nick DePaula NickDePaula Paul George makes his 76ers debut in a GT Cut Academy customized on Nike By You — featuring "King Vuk" as a tribute to his son. Actually just re-created these on Nike By You here: nike.com/u/custom-nike-... pic.x.com/M5KhTVsfGi – 11:47 PM Tony Jones Tjonesonthenba Was wondering whether this would be the case or not, but Nick Nurse is bringing Paul George back with three fouls – 10:55 PM Tony Jones Tjonesonthenba And there it is. Paul George's first bucket as a Sixers is a catch and shoot 3 from the corner.... And then Paul George picks up his third foul on an illegal screen....Three pretty avoidable fouls...... – 10:42 PM Gerald Bourguet GeraldBourguet Devin Booker gets caught on a Paul George screen for PG's 3rd foul, and Book immediately put up 3 fingers as soon as the whistle blew lol – 10:42 PM Adam Aaronson SixersAdam Paul George is on the board as a Sixer. He hits a corner three to open the second quarter and give the Sixers the lead. Credit Tyrese Maxey with the assist. – 10:42 PM Adam Aaronson SixersAdam Suns lead, 28-26, after one quarter. Paul George went scoreless — 0-5 from the field — but Kyle Lowry and Guerschon Yabusele led the Sixers' offense (?!) – 10:39 PM Adam Aaronson SixersAdam Paul George 0-4 from the field, with a pair of close misses on threes just now. Yabusele connects on another — this one from the corner — to cut the Suns lead to two points. – 10:37 PM Ball Don't Lie Balldontlie Paul George is focused on making his Sixers debut tonight against the Suns (via pic.x.com/xvN1E2uxFB – 4:07 PM Ky Carlin Ky_Carlin Paul George has been upgraded to probable for tonight against the Suns. It looks like the PG8 era will begin for Philly tonight in the Valley of the Sun #Sixers – 3:14 PM Duane Rankin DuaneRankin "Just his skill set. He can score on all three levels. He can get hot quick." Tyus Jones on Paul George, who looks to make his 76ers debut tonight against the Suns. Hasn't played yet this season due to a knee injury. #Suns #76ers pic.x.com/c68oGiDg2Y – 2:12 PM StatMuse statmuse Paul George in team debuts: As a Pacer — 4 PTS 3 REB 2 AST As a Thunder — 28 PTS 6 REB 6 3P As a Clipper — 33 PTS 9 REB 4 AST How many for PG tonight? pic.x.com/UPKuDLQUNf – 2:03 PM Tony Jones Tjonesonthenba Paul George says he's around 90 percent sure that he will make his season debut tonight in Phoenix against the Suns He said he's cleared all the hurdles. He will go through shoot this morning and make sure the knee is sound – 1:12 PM Adam Aaronson SixersAdam New: Kicking off the week with a LOADED 5 Sixers thoughts: – Paul George expected to play tonight – How I'd alter the rotation – Jared McCain + Eric Gordon on playing with each other – Caleb Martin keeps getting fouled – When will Joel Embiid play? phillyvoice.com/sixers-news-an... – 8:45 AM Sirius XM NBA SiriusXMNBA Tune into The Starting Lineup with & Joel Embiid Story. Paul George's Debut Grant Williams & Jayson Tatum Play HEADLINES!! Listen Live: sxm.app.link/nbaradiolive Call the Show: 855-NBA-JUMP (855-622-5867) pic.x.com/Ct100xiwCE – 7:02 AM Emiliano Carchia Sportando Philadelphia 76ers' Paul George make his season debut on Monday sportando.basketball/en/philadelphi... – 2:29 AM Kurt Helin basketballtalk Paul George reportedly to make 76ers debut Monday night vs. Suns nbcsports.com/nba/news/paul-... – 8:03 PM Gerald Bourguet GeraldBourguet Bradley Beal (right elbow sprain) remains questionable for tomorrow's game against the 76ers. Joel Embiiid remains out for Philly, while Paul George is expected to return (listed as questionable) – 7:34 PM Adam Aaronson SixersAdam Paul George is set to make his Sixers regular season debut tomorrow night in Phoenix, according to reports, with Joel Embiid still out of action: phillyvoice.com/sixers-news-an... – 7:16 PM Bill Reiter sportsreiter Paul George is expected to make his debut tomorrow for the Sixers, a source tells first with the news. – 7:08 PM Ball Don't Lie Balldontlie BREAKING: Paul George is expected to make his Sixers debut on Monday vs. the Suns, per pic.x.com/DXsYFrOM65 – 7:06 PM Shams Charania ShamsCharania Philadelphia 76ers star Paul George is expected to make his season debut on Monday vs. the Phoenix Suns, barring any setbacks, sources tell ESPN. pic.x.com/n2nHUtaNNE – 7:03 PM Tim Bontemps TimBontemps The Sixers say Paul George — who has yet to play this season with a bone bruise in his left knee — is questionable tomorrow in Phoenix against the Suns, the start of Philly's West Coast trip. Philly is at the Clippers, George's former team, Wednesday. Joel Embiid remains out. – 7:02 PM

More on this storyline

That was never part of Clippers owner Steve Ballmer's vision when he put shovel to dirt and began building the NBA's newest state-of-the-art arena over three years ago with hopes of Leonard and George raising a championship banner. But that was before a stricter collective bargaining agreement severely hampered the ability to build for the future if high-spending teams repeatedly exceed the luxury tax and the more restrictive second apron. The Clippers were willing to see out the Leonard-George era for another three years and deal with the second apron but drew a line at a fourth year with concerns over age, money and flexibility. As the George contract negotiations dragged into the summer and it began to look as if the All-Star would be leaving, they began to chart a new course for their future . -via ESPN / November 6, 2024 For a franchise that traded four unprotected first-round picks, one protected first-round pick and two pick swaps to the Oklahoma City Thunder to get George — a trade they are still paying off — the Clippers had to make a decision to carefully map out their future under the new CBA landscape, especially if they felt as though they weren't sure to contend for a title with oft-injured aging stars. Unwilling to give George a no-trade clause or a four-year max deal, the Clippers filled out the roster with younger, more defense-minded players on attractive contracts. "I don't know when the blueprint changed," Ballmer told ESPN. "The truth of the matter is our situation was changing just because the guys are getting older anyway. So the way to think about it with Paul or without Paul, it started to morph on us." -via ESPN / November 6, 2024 FIVE YEARS AGO on Waikiki Beach, Kawhi Leonard and Paul George boarded a bright yellow and blue catamaran named "Manu Kai" with some of their teammates for a sunset boat ride. The pair were just taking their first steps together with so much promise ahead. Leonard and the Clippers returned to Hawai'i for their annual training camp in October, this time without George. Leonard was not able to practice with his teammates in camp and remains out as he tries to overcome the inflammation in his knee. When he does return, Leonard will do so with a new-look roster. "Yes, things change, players are gone," Leonard told ESPN at Clippers camp in Hawai'i last month. "Do I feel like I could win with [these] players? "I feel like I could win with the players that are on the roster." -via ESPN / November 6, 2024