The good momentum of the Clippers can't be stopped at all. After knocking out the Thunder, their record improved to 26-14, closely following the first echelon in the West and widening the distance between them and the second echelon. You say that the Clippers don't have a championship, and I absolutely don't believe it.
The more and more outstanding results have also become the confidence of the boss. In order to maintain the problem of the team's lineup, Leonard has been the first to complete a contract extension. It is reported that he got a three-year, $152.4 million early contract extension, of which the salary is $52 million for the first year, and 50 million for the second two years, and there is no player option.
George will also get a contract extension soon, and people familiar with the matter have revealed that George's contract extension is expected to be the same as Leonard's, but the salary may be slightly lower than Leonard's. With an average annual contract of more than 40 million, there are probably still some of them.
After the pepper, it was naturally Harden's turn. While Harden isn't as good as the top two in terms of scoring stats, the Clippers' playmaking power is in his hands. Under the guidance of Harden, the Clippers have become the most gorgeous team in the league. Harden, who no longer needs to be a big player in the offense, has fully demonstrated his playmaking talent, and even his defensive skills have begun to improve exponentially.
Harden also said that he hopes to get a long-term contract at this stage of his career and end his career with the Clippers. It should be said that this request is not excessive. Although his individual competitive state is already at its peak. But a 34-year-old player who can contribute 17 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists per game, as well as nearly 1 steal and 1 block, is not too much to give an average of 35 million per year. Considering the 38-year-old rule, then a 4-year 140 million or 3-year 100 million contract, the Clippers are still indispensable.
In fact, you think that the top strength of the Clippers is these three, and if you lock these three people with 120 million a year, the Clippers will be able to maintain the highest competitiveness in the league for the next three seasons, which is not a loss at all.
Let's think about it another way, if you look at the Suns next door, Bradley Beal's contract, 50.2 million in the 2024-25 season, 53.66 million in the 2025-26 season, 57.12 million in the 2026-27 season, and after 2025, the salary of the three Clippers brothers is not as good as a sick Beal, what do you think in your heart? Beal played 50 games last season, only 40 games last season, and only 16 games so far this season, with an average of 18+4+ per game4 level, can you think about what he can do in 2 years?
Don't think the Clippers Big Three are expensive, that's because they're worth it. If it's really too expensive, believe it or not, put this on the free market, and there are a lot of teams that want to give contracts. Well, it's not just the Big Three that are in trouble for the Clippers. If they can really win the championship next, then the value of role players will continue to be bullish, and Zubac and Mann need big contracts to feed. At that time, it was the manager's ability to give the contract to the test.