THE LA CLIPPERS ASKING FOR JONATHAN KUMINGA PROVED TO BE THE DEAL-BREAKER FOR GOLDEN STATE

While it’s all water under the bridge now, considering how Paul George is now with the Philadelphia 76ers after agreeing to a four-year, maximum contract deal worth $212 million, it’s still worth pondering how the Los Angeles Clippers could still have gotten something out of an untenable situation.

After all, the opportunity was there and was ripe for the taking. The Warriors, adamant about returning to their glory years and maximizing whatever magic Steph Curry had left in his hands, were keen on acquiring the nine-time All-Star. How desperate was Golden State? They offered numerous packages featuring a combination of Chris Paul, Moses Moody, a first-round pick, and Andrew Wiggins or Jonathan Kuminga.

Wouldn’t play ball

The Warriors’ offers were on the negotiating table for the Clippers to consider and review. Caught between a rock and a hard place, the Clips knew the risks of not making a move: they could lose PG-13 for nothing. Instead of playing ball, the Clippers’ front office upped the ante, asking for Kuminga, the Dubs’ 21-year-old wunderkind.

“The Warriors offered multiple combinations of expiring contracts, young players, and an unprotected 2027 first-round pick, sources said. The Clippers countered by asking for prized youngster Jonathan Kuminga, sources said,” ESPN’s Ramona Shelbourne wrote.

However, the Dubs hesitated to make such a deal, as doing so may have also compromised their chances of landing the six-time All-NBA team member, who may have wanted the super-athletic Kuminga to be part of the Warriors’ frontcourt.

“The Warriors resisted because Kuminga is so important to their own future, sources said, but also because they worried George wouldn't be as interested in joining them if they gave up too much to get him,” Shelbourne continued.

Never found common ground

Just when the two teams felt they had the framework for a blockbuster deal done, the house of cards eventually fell as the Clippers couldn’t stomach the financial implications of the supposed deal.

“At several points, it seemed the teams might reach a deal as talks took place at both the ownership and executive levels. But they never found common ground on the financial implications for the Clippers. As they did with George, sources said LA held firm on not taking back contracts that would land it over the second apron unless there were compelling reasons to do so,” the veteran journalist explained.

And so, what began as a promising trade idea ended up with the Clippers twiddling their thumbs, with nothing to show for Paul George’s departure for Philly. It was the worst outcome possible, especially with how much the Clippers gave up for the versatile wingman in 2019.

2024-07-05T12:41:22Z dg43tfdfdgfd