Paul George, James Harden mum on future as Clippers fall again - ESPN

DALLAS — After losing in the first round with Kawhi Leonard injured for the second straight postseason, the LA Clippers head into the offseason with uncertainty surrounding the futures of Paul George and James Harden.

George has a player option for next season worth $48.8 million and can become a free agent if he and the Clippers are unable to come an agreement on an extension prior to June 30. Harden will be an unrestricted free agent and may wait to see what happens with George first before figuring out his future with the Clippers.

Following the Clippers' 114-101 loss in Game 6 at Dallas, George was asked if he sees himself with the Clippers long term alongside with Leonard and Harden.

«Yeah,» George said. «If it works that way, absolutely.»

After the Clippers' season came to an end, George and Harden said they haven't really thought about their contracts yet.

«I don't even know,» said Harden, who finished with 16 points, 13 assists and seven rebounds but missed all six of his 3-point attempts on Friday. «You are asking a lot of questions that I don't have the answer to or haven't even thought about.»

The Clippers have a busy offseason ahead of them as far as trying to keep this team intact. The franchise is planning to pursue a contract extension with Ty Lue to avoid having the head coach enter the final year of his deal in 2025-26, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski on Friday.

And then there's George and Harden. Leonard signed a three-year, $153-million extension in January. With the Clippers likely to exceed $200 million in payroll next season, they will be restricted in how they can improve the team due to the second apron.

Should George become a free agent, there could be multiple suitors for the 34-year-old.