Paul George and the Los Angeles Clippers are actively engaged in negotiations for his next NBA contract. So far, however, both sides remain in a deadlock on this deal.
“Paul George is an interesting guy to watch,” said ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. “He’s free to extend his contract with the Clippers right now, nothing is stopping him from doing that, maybe he will. But obviously, he and the Clippers have swapped numbers and they are not on the same page.”
"It will be interesting to see if Paul George opts out of his contract and becomes an unrestricted free agent..
I think the big transactions this summer will be trades more so than free agents" @WindhorstESPN #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/o0UrtfuvYk
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 12, 2024
As one of the top two-way players in the game, Paul George is a highly coveted asset across the league. In five years with the Clippers, George is averaging 23.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game on 45% shooting. With one year left on his contract, the 9x All-Star is arguably the highest potential free agent available.
The Clippers are working overtime to ensure he sticks around and re-signs but there is no guarantee they can keep him. In five years with George (drafted 10th overall in 2010) and Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers have nothing to show for their efforts and now they are hesitant to pay the premium price in order to keep them together.
George, 34, will have several options to pick from this summer. He could opt out of his $45 million player option and become a free agent, opt-in to work out a new contract extension or try and force a sign-and-trade to his preferred destination.
At his age, there’s only so much that teams will be willing to give up for Paul George but at least two Eastern teams are said to be interested in making an offer: the Philadelphia 76ers and the Orlando Magic.
The 76ers, despite having Joel Embiid, have somehow created enough space for one max player. After losing in the first round to the Knicks, they are looking for additional star power and Paul George could be the answer they have looking for. This team has been connected to the veteran swingman for months now and it’s clear that he will be their primary target in the offseason.
For the Magic, they are obviously the underdogs in the George sweepstakes but they are one of the few teams with the motive and the assets to get something done. If they are able to pair George with Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner, the Magic could become a new superpower in the East on par with some of the elites.
Whatever happens next, Paul George (a 9x All-Star) will be the focus of various pursuits this summer and where he lands could have major implications on the NBA hierarchy. The Clippers, who have invested everything into this group, will continue to try and reach an agreement with their disgruntled star but it’s clear they they don’t see him as valuable as he sees himself.
Unless the Clippers are willing to give George the max, they risk the chance of losing him for nothing and it will send them back into total irrelevancy in the West. I think it would be a major mistake to let him go now, after investing so much time and money into this core.
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