Clippers offseason primer: Paul George, James Harden, Ty Lue, Lawrence Frank, PJ Tucker

Following the acquisition of James Harden to pair him with the star-studded duo of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, championship aspirations were bestowed on the Los Angeles Clippers. Instead, six months later, the Clippers are going home after an underwhelming first-round exit thanks to the Dallas Mavericks, and an offseason with many questions begins.

Harden and George will enter unrestricted free agency this summer, the futures of coach Ty Lue and executive Lawrence Frank will be topics of discussion, and other roster moves will be considered.

Below is a preview of the offseason ahead for the Clippers, with reporting from HoopsHype included.

Paul George’s free agency

Paul George enters the summer of 2024 as the top unrestricted free agent on the market according to our HoopsHype free agent rankings.

Many around the league believe George will want to remain in Los Angeles as a Clipper, but after two total postseason trips ending in a first-round exit in the past three seasons, an aging core going forward, and limited flexibility to improve if the trio remains, will George desire the convenience of playing at home or chase a potentially better chance to win elsewhere?

The Clippers want to retain George as one of their foundational core pieces going into the opening of Intuit Dome later in 2024 and beyond, but extension talks with the nine-time All-Star broke down earlier this season with the organization hoping he’d take less than a max contract in discussions, league sources told HoopsHype.

The Clippers signed Kawhi Leonard to a three-year, $153 million extension on January 11. Ideally, the organization didn’t want to go above that contract to extend the 34-year-old George, with Leonard viewed as the team’s best player, league sources told HoopsHype. However, the Clippers may not have a choice and be forced to pay George a max contract or risk losing him as he’s expected to command significant interest on the free agent market, with the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic already being linked to the versatile forward.

One scenario the 76ers have envisioned this offseason is a trio of Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and George, league sources told HoopsHype. However, some around the league wonder if George would be willing to relocate across the country to the colder weather and if the Sixers will be used as potential leverage during free agency negotiations.

Orlando has built its core around size and length and will enter the offseason looking to improve outside shooting. George, a 41.3 percent 3-point shooter this season, would seemingly check off every box for Orlando and be an All-Star veteran presence the team has lacked for years.

George could also have a larger market than only teams with cap space this summer. Theoretically, George could opt into his contract and be traded with the understanding he’d work out a new deal, which would open up possibilities for teams like the Kings, Heat, Rockets, Mavericks, and others looking to acquire another star to fortify their championship contending chances going into next season.

James Harden’s free agency

James Harden is No. 6 overall in our HoopsHype free agent rankings entering this summer and played well during the first four of six playoff games for the Clippers this postseason.

Ideally, Harden wants to re-sign with the Clippers this offseason, league sources told HoopsHype. The 10-time All-Star has enjoyed playing close to home, near his family, and remained a high-level player with the Clippers in his first season with the franchise.

The feeling is mutual, as ESPN reported, with the Clippers hopeful to re-sign Harden this summer.

Ultimately, many around the league expect Harden to remain a Clipper, and the only question is what type of contract the Clippers and Harden will agree upon.

Coach Ty Lue’s future

Clippers coach Ty Lue is regarded as one of the top coaches in the league and has a team option for the upcoming 2024-25 season, which is the final season of his contract.

During his four-year tenure as Clippers coach, Lue has guided the team to a 184-134 regular-season record and a 13-17 record in the playoffs, including one Western Conference Finals appearance.

Lue and his representative, Andy Miller of Klutch Sports Group, will look to secure a long-term extension this offseason, as ESPN reported. Many in coaching circles around the league believe Lue will command a salary in line with some of the highest-paid coaches in the league.

Lue has also been linked as a potential candidate for the Lakers head coaching job due to his strong ties to LeBron James, but such a scenario is hard to fathom at this juncture.

Lawrence Frank’s future

Following an underwhelming playoff exit, Lawrence Frank’s future as the team’s top executive will be the subject of chatter entering the offseason for the Clippers. It’s worth noting Frank and Clippers owner Steve Ballmer have a close relationship.

Ever since former Golden State Warriors executive Bob Myers stepped down from his role as an executive, there has been speculation whispered throughout the league that he could be an eventual candidate to replace Frank with the Clippers one day.

It’s uncertain if Frank’s time as the team’s executive will be up, but if it is, you can bet Myers’ name will churn in the rumor mill.

PJ Tucker’s player option

Clippers forward PJ Tucker is expected to exercise his $11.54 million player option for the upcoming 2024-25 season, league sources told HoopsHype.

Tucker, who’s represented by agent Andre Buck, has been a stout defender throughout his NBA career and worked his way back into the rotation for the Clippers towards the end of the regular season after not appearing in 38 straight games.

Backup point guard: Russell Westbrook or Bones Hyland?

After finishing tied for seventh place in the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year voting, Clippers guard Russell Westbrook has a $4 million player option decision looming for the 2024-25 season.

Westbrook struggled mightily in the first-round matchup against the Dallas Mavericks, and with 23-year-old Bones Hyland entering the final season of his rookie contract in the 2024-25 season, perhaps the Clippers may look to move one of the guards for depth elsewhere or future draft capital in Hyland’s case.

You can follow Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) on X, formerly known as Twitter.