On May 5, Beijing time, after the Clippers were out 2-4 in the first round, the team is about to face a huge crisis in the offseason. According to the latest news, George is likely to drop the player option and test the free market. In addition, another key member of the team's bench, Willis, is also likely to leave the team, and he also has a player option. In addition, Harden will become a full free agent this summer, and his future is uncertain. The only stabilizing factor for the Clippers at the moment is Kawhi Leonard, who faces injuries almost every key moment of the season.
The Clippers have assembled a Big Four this season, and although Willis is past his prime, Leonard, George and Harden are all in their prime. After a short run-in, the Clippers once played a league-wide record and climbed to the first place in the West. But in the second half of the season, the Clippers' performance began to fluctuate. And the bigger trouble came with Leonard's injury, the Clippers' number one star, a former FMVP player, who was once again in injury trouble before the playoffs began. In the end, he contributed a negative contribution in the series against the Mavericks, and the team also went 2-4.
After the team's exit, the future of many players in the team is in uncertainty. George has a $48.7 million player option for next season. According to the report, the Clippers have tried to persuade George to complete the contract extension at a price no higher than the price of the renewal, which is less than the maximum salary. If George stays with the Clippers, he can renew his contract for up to 4 years and 221 million, and other teams will have 212 million for 4 years. If George enters free agency, there should be a team offering a maximum salary. As a result, George is likely to leave the Clippers.
In addition, Willis has a player option of $4.02 million for next season. According to the TA report, Wei Shao may choose to leave the team and seek development in other teams due to low salary and substitute roles. Compared to Westbrook and George, the more important Harden will become a full free agent. The Clippers don't have any advantage against other teams, and Harden can choose any team to be his next home. Based on the level and sacrifice that Harden has shown in the playoffs, he has no problem getting a 30 million+ contract. And for the Clippers, they may be falling apart.