Former LA Clippers star Paul George is now a member of the Philadelphia 76ers, but there was a chance he could have never hit the open market for Philadelphia to offer him the four-year, $212M deal he ended up signing.

As it was becoming clear that George and the Clippers were too far apart to reach an agreement, LA explored potential opt-in and trade scenarios, but none made enough sense for them to go through with. In a new report from Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, it was revealed that the Denver Nuggets were one of the teams interested in George, and even considered a deal that would have sent Michael Porter Jr. to the Clippers.

“Michael Porter Jr.’s big payday in Denver might not have been as big under this new CBA,” Fischer wrote. “While Porter helped the Nuggets clinch the 2023 championship, Denver already was flirting with the concept of including Porter in a trade to land Paul George this summer, sources said, although his cap number likely would have been too daunting for the CBA-conscious Clippers to have truly considered if George had opted in to be traded.”

As Fischer noted, the Nuggets considered swapping Porter for George, but there is no indication the Clippers would have been open to this, as their future financial flexibility is of utmost importance for roster building.

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A Denver Democratic lawmaker has apologized for a social media post saying the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump on Saturday would provide “sympathy for the devil,” as other Colorado politicians condemned the attack.

“We must always resolve our differences peacefully at the ballot box — not through violence,” Rep. Steven Woodrow said in a statement Monday morning. “I know people are hurting, and (I) apologize that my words caused additional pain.”

Shortly after a gunman injured Trump and killed an attendee at the former president’s Pennsylvania rally Saturday night, Woodrow — a frequent X user who has regularly criticized Republicans on the platform — posted that the “last thing America needed was sympathy for the devil but here we are.”

He immediately drew criticism for the post, and later that night he deleted his X account. Colorado Democratic Party chair Shad Murib was among those who criticized Woodrow’s post.

In his statement Monday, Woodrow condemned the attempt on Trump’s life and said that his post, “inarticulate as it was,” sought to convey that “acts of violence like this are awful and only make it more likely that Trump now wins” the election.

Other Colorado politicians denounced the attack, which killed retired fire chief and father Corey Comperatore and left Trump bloodied after he said a bullet damaged his ear; two rally spectators also were injured.

Gov. Jared Polis said in a Saturday statement that he was glad Trump was doing well and that “violence is never acceptable.” He also called for increased security for independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Democratic U.S. Reps. Brittany Pettersen, Joe Neguse, Diana DeGette, Yadira Caraveo and Jason Crow all issued similar statements.

So, too, did U.S. Sens. John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet and an array of local and state elected officials.

Republican U.S. Reps. Doug Lamborn and Greg Lopez both posted on X that they were praying for Trump’s recovery.

Crow told CBS on Sunday that “violence could spiral out of control” and that “leadership requires that we all step back. Enough is enough. We cannot do this.”

Republican U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert expressed support and prayers for Trump on X, while blaming President Joe Biden for the attack and reposting social media messages that explicitly — and baselessly — blamed Democrats for attempting to kill the former president.

The gunman has been identified as a 20-year-old Pennsylvania man; federal and state investigators are still seeking to determine his motive for opening fire on Trump.

State Rep. Matt Soper, a Delta Republican, posted on X that Biden should be investigated for “criminal incitement of violence.” He suggested Woodrow should resign Saturday night, though he told Colorado Public Radio on Sunday that he understood getting caught up in an emotional moment.

Patrick Neville, a former Republican lawmaker and one-time minority leader in the state House, posted on X that he didn’t agree with Woodrow’s comments. But he suggested that the Denver Democrat and his family had received threats since Saturday and that those threats “are more deplorable than what (Woodrow) said.”

Calls for softening inflammatory rhetoric are not new to Colorado’s state legislative leaders, who have long struggled with lawmakers’ social media postings.

Republican state Reps. Brandi Bradley and Ryan Armagost both criticized Woodrow on X over the weekend, too. Earlier this year, Democratic lawmakers criticized both Bradley and Armagost for repeatedly using social media to accuse their colleagues of supporting pedophiles. Democratic legislators said they received death threats as a result of those postings.

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Originally Published: July 15, 2024 at 12:23 p.m.

Dear Eric: My grandchildren are 23 and 18. I married their grandfather before they were born. I always felt like they were my grandchildren and not step-grandchildren. They have lived with their grandmother (my husband’s ex) because their mother was unable to care for them.

We lived three hours away, but we would take them for weekends as much as we could. We worked full time and their grandmother held much resentment that she and her husband had to give up their retirement years to raise children. We sent money, attended as many events as possible, or were made aware of, paid for extras like trips, car, tuition, etc., but it was never enough.

Through the years, I never received a card, gift, phone call or text on any holiday, or my birthday. My husband got calls and maybe a card. He passed away a few months ago. I made a point to drive to see them over the Christmas holidays, take them to lunch and give them cash gifts (I’m close to 80 years old). I also send cards with cash on days like Valentine’s Day, Easter, etc. I would have to text them to see if they received these cards.

I made a few phone calls right after my husband died, only to have it go to voicemail and then just a text back saying they got my call. I love them dearly, they are the only grandchildren I will have, and they are basically very good kids that have survived a traumatic childhood.

When I am with them, they are loving, full of enthusiasm and say they will keep in touch and maybe even come see me. Then, nothing. I know it is their age; young people are consumed with self and do not think about an old lady, maybe just wanting a call or a text.

Do I continue sending cards with cash? Do I initiate the phone call or text?

— Abandoned Grandmother

Dear Grandmother: My heart goes out to you. I’m so sorry for the loss of your husband and that you’re not getting the support from your grandchildren that you desire.

It’s true what you write: there is a generational lacuna that sometimes keeps young people from seeing the value of their grandparents and other seniors until it’s too late. But you grandchildren are adults and can be responsible for their actions.

With regard to the cards, turn off the ATM, at least temporarily. You’re showing love and care by sending money, but because it’s not reciprocated, it’s become commodified. It’s not your fault, but it’s easy to feel like you’re not getting a return on your investment.

Removing money from the equation will clear the way for you to have a conversation with your grandchildren individually. It doesn’t have to be long or overwrought. Say to them, “I love you and I miss you. I need you to call me once a month” (or whatever cadence feels right to you). “Put it on your calendar. This is the way that you can show me that you value me.”

Hold them to it. Sometimes the best way to show someone that you love them is to say, “This relationship isn’t working for me; here’s how we can make it work together.”

Dear Eric: I got into an argument with my husband and afterward I went into my bedroom to be away from him. My best friend, who was visiting, didn’t ask me how I was doing. Instead, she sat with him in the living room, watching TV, listening to him tell her how I’m no longer the same person and I’ve gone off my rocker etc.

I am extremely upset over the fact that she never came to see me and ask how I was. I feel like she really isn’t a true friend to me.

Since the incident, I have been cordial and have been treating her as an acquaintance rather than a friend.

I am not sure if I should continue our friendship and sit down to try to repair our relationship. How should I proceed?

— Betrayed Bestie

Dear Bestie: Your husband shouldn’t be bad-mouthing you to your friend, especially within earshot. That creates a complicated dynamic for everyone.

But I suspect that the complicated dynamic was probably already in place before you went to your bedroom. It’s very uncomfortable being alone with a couple while they fight. Your friend may have felt trapped.

Reach out to her and let her know about your feelings in order to clear the air. Ask her how she feels about the whole thing. If she felt that she was put into a position she didn’t want to be in, make amends.

(Send questions to R. Eric Thomas at eric@askingeric.com or P.O. Box 22474, Philadelphia, PA 19110. Follow him on Instagram and sign up for his weekly newsletter at rericthomas.com.)