Getty Paul George
en linked to GeorgeThe Philadelphia 76ers have received some good news regarding Paul George. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski posted on his X account that George has opted out of his deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, meaning he’ll be a free agent.
BREAKING: Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George is declining his $48.7M option and entering free agency, sources tell ESPN. He’s planning to set meetings with cap space teams and the Clippers beginning Sunday night. An opt-in/trade scenario is now gone.
Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes reported via his X account that the Sixers “are expected to aggressively pursue” George now that he’s on the open market.
The Sixers have the cap space to give George a max contract. Only a few other teams, like the Orlando Magic, have the cap room to add George outright. Though the Sixers want to bring George on board, the Clippers will make the effort to keep him since finding his replacement would be difficult.
Wojnarowski noted that George will take meetings with teams that have cap space, which include the Sixers, but he did not name any teams specifically.
George has an impressive NBA resume, having made the All-Star team nine times. At 34 years old, he wants one last payday while he is still in his prime. Throughout the course of his career, he has also made three Conference Finals appearances. The Sixers have not made the Eastern Conference Finals since 2001, so George may help in that regard.
Paul George a ‘Legitimate Walk Threat’: Report
Following Wojnarowski’s and Haynes’ reports, The Athletics Law Murray revealed that George’s future with the Clippers is far from certain. In fact, Murray reported a bleak outlook on the prospect of George returning to the Clippers.
“Source close to George is not optimistic that he wants to return to the Clippers. He is a legitimate walk threat. Stay tuned,” Murray wrote via his X account.
When George and Kawhi Leonard first teamed up with the Clippers in 2019, they had high expectations. Since then, the Clippers have made one conference finals appearance in 2021. However, injuries have often interfered with their playoff runs. The Clippers lost Leonard in the middle of their last three playoff runs in 2021, 2023, and 2024.
Their underwhelming playoff performances, combined with the pessimism surrounding George’s return, suggest that George joining the Sixers might not be a pipedream.
Paul George’s Free Agency Creates ‘Fascinating Scenario’
After George opted out, ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne explained the Clippers’ and Sixers’ mindsers with George. In the Sixers’ case, she explained why adding George is a win-win scenario, on top of being fascinating.
“For Philly, this is why they were so diligent in preserving max cap space for this summer. They have two young guys stars, one a former MVP. And a great path to contention in the East, if PG wants that extra year and $. Fascinating scenario about to play out,” Shelburne wrote via her X account.
For Philly, this is why they were so diligent in preserving max cap space for this summer. They have two young guys stars, one a former MVP. And a great path to contention in the East, if PG wants that extra year and $. Fascinating scenario about to play out.
For the Clippers, she outlined why adding George could be problematic for them.
“This is really the first big test of the new CBA rules. Clippers have held firm on not going into the second apron because of how restrictive it is for team building. PG has the potential of max offers on contenders elsewhere, like Philly. Major staring contest now,” Shelburne wrote. “LA obviously wants to retain (George). But there are advantages to staying out of the second apron that it’s not an unmitigated disaster (if) he walks.”
LA obviously wants to retain PG. But there are advantages to staying out of the second apron that it’s not an unmitigated disaster of he walks.