From what we saw in Games 1, 2, and 3, the Los Angeles Clippers looked like a team that could beat the Phoenix Suns in just 5 or 6 games if they had Paul George playing alongside Kawhi Leonard and Russell Westbrook.
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They are 1-2 in the first-round series following the loss in LA in which they also played without The Klaw, and fought until the very end. And as per the latest reports, they will have to do with the same line-up in the next home game as well because Leonard will be out for Game 4 as well.
Now imagine how the man who invested in this duo back in 2019 must be feeling. Four straight years of being two of the best-paid players in the league with multiple changes to the rotation every year and no championships to show for it.
Let alone rings, they did not even make it to the Finals yet, and it’s not looking like they will this season. However, Kendrick Perkins believes Steve Ballmer should give the duo one more shot.
Kendrick Perkins Has a Suggestion For Steve Ballmer about Kawhi Leonard and Paul George
On the most recent ESPN First Take, Stephen A. Smith suggested Leonard should retire, declaring him one of the worst superstars in the NBA, ever. Meanwhile, former NBA champ Kendrick Perkins had a message for the $90 billion worth Clippers owner.
Big Perk wants Steve Ballmer to run it back one more time even if the Clippers’ duo’s season ends in the first round this time.
“If I’m Steve Ballmer and the front office of the Clippers I’m giving Kawhi and PG just 1 more year to make a title run,” Tweeted Perkins with a clip of his from the First Take.
Is it worth it for Ballmer to run it back, again?
Both Kawhi and PG have a similar contract making them over $42 million each this year and over $94 million each in the next two years if they opt in for the 2024-25 season. Now, Steve can run it back again with the kind of money he has got in his bank.
But should he? I guess not. Rebuilding would have been a better option if they had a superstar-caliber youngster around whom they could build, but they do not.
So, trading these two superstars for other superstars is one thing he could look at. However, these two, with the kind of availability they have been showing over the past two years, will never get the right compensation in the market.
Hence, there is no clear option for Ballmer here. The man might have to go with what is best for the business in this case, if not for a championship.
