it isn't really 45 million more because there is an extra year. I think it works out to like a couple million a year difference in money.
And LA can offer not only George but someone else a max contract. Next summer could have a gold mine of talent in it i.e. James, Westbrook, Cousins, Thomas, Anthony and then a bunch of second tier players like Wade, Parker, Bradley, Lopez, Monroe, etc. What if LA adds Westbrook and George and still has Ball, Ingram, Randle, Clarkson, Nance, Zubac. What if LA clears Deng using Clarkson and/or Randle, and 3 guys decide to take a couple mill less than the max and then end up with George, Westbrook, and Cousins.