Paul George is by far the most important identify on the NBA’s 2024 free-agent market, and whereas he hasn’t formally introduced a choice, it seems to be like one workforce is clearly in pole place. Based on ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, George’s agent, Aaron Mintz of CAA, spoke with the Clippers and neither aspect budged on their contract calls for. Either side then acknowledged {that a} return was unlikely, and now, the Philadelphia 76ers are the sturdy front-runners for his providers.
The Clippers, then, launched an announcement that confirmed George is transferring on.
“Paul has knowledgeable us that he’s signing his subsequent contract with one other workforce,” the Clippers mentioned. “Paul is an amazing expertise and an elite two-way participant. …We negotiated for months Paul and his consultant on a contract that will make sense for each side, and we had been left far aside. The hole was important. We perceive and respect Paul’s resolution to look elsewhere for his subsequent contract.”
George, who opted out of his contract with the Clippers on Saturday, was anticipated to fulfill with the 76ers, the Clippers and the Orlando Magic earlier than making up his thoughts. Nonetheless, the Magic used a major chunk of their cap area to signal Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. They’ll nonetheless create the room wanted to signal George in the event that they wish to by waiving the non-guaranteed Jonathan Isaac and buying and selling Jett Howard, however at this stage, there isn’t any indication that they plan to take action.
In January, the Clippers signed Kawhi Leonard to a three-year, $153 million contract. That deal has reportedly been the baseline for the Clippers in George negotiations, and so far, they aren’t believed to be keen to supply a four-year deal. George is reportedly looking for a four-year deal, and as he’s now 34 years previous, it will possible be his last likelihood to money in as a free agent throughout his profession. Philadelphia and Orlando are each able to providing a four-year, $212 million max contract to George, and each groups are reportedly keen to take action.
George’s slot in Philadelphia could be apparent. The 76ers have a star level guard in Tyrese Maxey and a star middle in Joel Embiid. George, a small ahead, slots neatly between the 2 of them. The 76ers would have leftover cap area to supply to a different starter in free company, with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope a popularly rumored identify. They might even have the cap room mid-level exception to make use of on different free brokers. Lots of their very own free brokers are older gamers like Kyle Lowry who could also be keen to return for minimum-salary offers.
George joined the Clippers initially in 2019, once they traded Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a historic package deal of draft picks to the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder to pair him with Kawhi Leonard. That duo by no means fairly had a standard, wholesome playoff run. The workforce was among the many championship favorites in 2020, however blew a 3-1 result in the Denver Nuggets within the Orlando bubble. Leonard was injured for the ultimate sport of the subsequent 4 Clipper seasons, and now, George could also be on the verge of making an attempt to win that elusive championship elsewhere.
There may be nonetheless time for one more workforce to alter George’s thoughts. Orlando has a youthful roster than each of those groups and has the built-in benefit of enjoying in a state with out revenue taxes. A thriller workforce may additionally doubtlessly bounce into the fray. For now, although, it seems to be just like the 76ers are in entrance, and it is wanting more and more unlikely that anybody goes to forestall him from transferring to Philadelphia.