Heads were expected to roll when the Los Angeles Clippers failed in their bid to reach the NBA Finals this season. The Denver Nuggets forced the Clippers out of the playoffs and the latter forfeited their chance to play for the league championship this October. And indeed, the axing has started.
First to get the boot was head coach Doc Rivers and his firing sent shockwaves to the NBA world that more names are anticipated to be placed on the chopping block. While it seemed unimaginable that superstars such as Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are opting out next season or likely to be pushed out, surprises can happen.
Yet according to Jovan Buha of The Athletic, Leonard is not moving out of LA unless he chooses to. If the Clippers will do a mini-rebuild, it will be because of the former MVP.
"I think Leonard is the only untouchable on the roster," Fadeaway World reported Buha as saying.
The journalist suggested too that changes are happening in the offseason and players going in and out will greatly depend on Leonard. Buha said there is a possibility that Leonard will no longer want to work with PG, and most likely the Clippers will make it happen.
If the right offer will be made on George during the season break, the journalist believes it will be the end of the road for the big guard in Los Angeles. It is crystal clear that Leonard has the say on the team roster and he is untouchable. It's not the case for PG.
And the likelihood of George leaving so soon the Clippers camp is supported by the report from Ryan Russillo of The Ringer, who claimed the star is not exactly a popular figure among his teammates. George following Rivers to the exit door will not break the hearts of many in the Clippers roster.
"This locker room was an even bigger mess than I think we realized. Kawhi has never had to be a vocal leader and PG doesn't have the respect of his teammates," Clutch Points reported Russillo as saying.
This locker room picture of the Clippers seemed to back the earlier reports that following the Game 7 loss to the Nuggets, George delivered a speech that was not greeted with applause. Instead, his pep talk had elicited rolling eyes from the Clippers that pretty much painted how PG is regarded by his teammates.
The mood at time though seemed understandable. George did not impress in the crucial last game of the Clippers. His production was stuck at 10 points and PG appeared to nearly checked out in the final period of Game 7, sinking only a basket.
It was a forgettable game for the All-Star and his lackluster showing could make it easier for the Clippers to look beyond George.
