Los Angeles Clippers star wing Paul George has an upcoming decision that could affect the Eastern Conference hierarchy.
George has a $48.7 million player option for next year. But the 33-year-old wants a new deal, saying he was “very, very optimistic” that his representatives and the Clippers would work out a deal, according to ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk.
“I mean, absolutely,” George said when asked whether Kawhi Leonard’s extension, which occurred on January 10, is a stepping stone to him staying. “You secure and lock in Kawhi. Definitely leaves the door open for myself, but very, very optimistic something will get done on my behalf, as well. We’re working through it.”
Eastern Conference Playoff Mainstay To Pursue Paul George This Summer?
Fast-forward nearly three months, and George still doesn’t have a deal. On the Hoop Collective podcast, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski indicated a gap between what the Clippers are offering and what George wants.
“The word in the NBA is that they’re apart. It’s not like, let’s have a big problem. They’re apart.
“I think the league believes that Paul George wants to remain a Clipper, and there would be concern in the league about recruiting Paul George — especially if you had to give away players to open up space
,… My informed speculation is that, eventually, Paul will agree to a deal with the Clippers. It may not be for the full max, but it may be for more than what the Clippers have been offering.”
Wojnaroski’s report substantiates NBA Insider Marc Stein’s thoughts about George’s situation last week when he said that the Clipper’s offers to George “have fallen an unknown amount shy of the numbers contained” in Leonard’s extension. However, Stein iterated that he still believed George would remain in Los Angeles.
George and the Clippers have until June 30 to work out an extension. However, if George opts into the player option, the sides will have another year to work out a new contract.
George is eligible to sign a four-year, $221.1 million deal with the Clippers, per Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus. However, Pincus added that the max he can sign for with another team is four years and $212.2 million.
Who Could Pursue George If He Opts Out?
Wojnarowski mentioned that six teams project to have enough cap space to make a bid for George if he leaves Los Angeles. The Detroit Pistons, Philadelphia 76ers, Utah Jazz, Oklahoma City Thunder, San Antonio Spurs, and the Orlando Magic are the teams that project to have available cap space.
Detroit, Utah, and San Antonio are rebuilding, and while George would make all three teams inherently better immediately, he doesn’t make any of the squads instant contenders. Therefore, he is not on those three teams’ “timeline.”
Conversely, George could theoretically increase his legacy by guiding the Sixers, Thunder, and Magic to the Promised Land.
Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia is getting all the buzz about George.
For good reason, the 76ers have Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid and $58.3 million in cap space. Maxey is slated to be a restricted free agent, but there is no way the Sixers will let him walk. Paul Reed is the only player under contract for next year.
Here is more from Pincus:
“George could be one of the top players in this year’s free-agent class, but at his age, he isn’t likely to be courted by rebuilding teams. According to multiple sources in and around the NBA, the Sixers have George at the top of their wish list and are expected to make him a significant offer if he becomes a free agent.
To get to that $49.4 million starting salary, the 76ers would need to initially wait on re-signing Tyrese Maxey and pare their roster down to just Embiid. Everyone else is either a free agent or non-guaranteed.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City has been attempting to bid something special over the last four seasons. The Thunder appear to be close to reaching that point, as they have reached the 50-win mark for the first time since 2015-16 with nine games left. George spent his first few seasons in the league with the Thunder.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren are budding stars. But Josh Giddey has struggled this season, and the Thunder need a veteran leader who can play both ends of the floor.
The Thunder have 12 players under contract for 2024-25, though they have some flexibility. The Thunder project to have around $40 million in cap space and could have three first round selections.
Orlando Magic
Orlando is poised to end its three-year drought. The Magic have reached 40 victories for the second time since 2011-12. However, the Magic are far from being a title contender. Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner are young players with lots of promise, but the rest of the roster are role players.
