George revealed the real reason for leaving the Clippers! Boss Ballmer responds to the breakup: It was the right decision

On November 7, Beijing time, the 76ers played away against the Clippers, and Paul George faced his old club in Los Angeles for the first time. The 76ers star said he has no grudges and recalled his good relationship with Ballmer and Clippers management.

But George also said that it was also why he couldn't stay with the Clippers when contract talks with the team didn't go as planned, because it was so surprising that the nine-time All-Star signed a four-year, $212 million contract with the 76ers on the free agent market.

"I think it's a little bit misunderstood, or it's a little bit incorrect, including the relationship with Lawrence [Frank], the relationship with Ballmer," George said before shooting drill, "I mean, the whole time I've been here, they've been great. ”

"That's why the end result is so shocking. But they're great. During my time here, I think it's a refreshing feeling to be able to work side by side with management and build a partnership like that. So I think that's probably the highlight of the whole [time with the Clippers]. During my time with the Clippers, they played really well. ”

George said on the podcast that he was initially willing to accept the same three-year, $150 million contract extension that Leonard received in January. But as negotiations dragged on, George put them on hold until after the season. He said that when the Clippers were willing to make him the offer, he wanted either a trade veto attached or a four-year maximum salary.

Frank, the Clippers' president of basketball operations, was reluctant to do so, citing the team's need to maintain its ability to compete sustainably and the restrictions imposed by the new collective bargaining agreement on teams that trigger the second tier.

Midway last season, when the Clippers went on a 31-26 win run and emerged as championship contenders, it was hard to imagine George not returning.

Frank was keen to see what Leonard, George and Harden could do in full training camp and season, but the Clippers turned 37 in their fourth year due to money concerns and George. The Clippers want to remain flexible and hope to attract a star or two on the free agent market when the time comes, as they did when they acquired Leonard and traded George in 2019.

While Frank said the Clippers were willing to let Leonard and George work together for another three years, they eventually changed their minds after failing to satisfy George's trade veto demand, filling the roster with younger, more defensive-minded players and attractive contracts in hopes of staying competitive, but they could also take their chances if stars are available in the future.

Clippers owner Ballmer told ESPN that he would have liked George to stay, but he also said he believes the Clippers made the right decision to stay competitive and hopefully sign another star in his prime.

Ballmer told ESPN about the signings of Derrick Jones Jr., Chris Dunn and Batum: "We got three players who were strong and played hard. We still have the ability to keep making ourselves better. So, it's the right choice for us. ”

"Paul [George] obviously thinks it's the right choice for him. I'm going to miss him. He's a very nice guy. I like him a lot, except when he plays against us. I wish him all the best, but not when he plays against us. He's a good Clippers player. ”

George said he understands the business decisions made by the Clippers, who have made a video tribute to him. He is looking forward to seeing all his friends and family.

George fought with Leonard in Los Angeles to win a championship in his hometown and helped the Clippers reach the only Western Conference Finals in franchise history in 2021. But in the five seasons they played together, two players had too many injuries to achieve their goal of winning the championship.

"I mean, if we're all healthy, that's our only 'what if,'" George lamented. "If we could all stay healthy......"