One of the NBA’s best two-way players may be on the move this offseason. According to The Athletic’s John Hollinger, there are multiple Eastern Conference teams “monitoring” Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George:
The Clippers are deep in the tax and don’t control their own first-round pick through 2030. Their best players are 32, 33 and 34, and they may have no choice but to pay two of them this summer and keep trying to push this rock up the hill. (Keep an eye on Paul George, by the way. Presumably, if there was a max extension sitting around for him, he would have signed it by now; I think it’s fair to say a couple of cap-room teams in the East are, um, “monitoring” this.)
George has a $48.8 million player option for the 2024-25 season. By the beginning of next season, he will be 34 years old.
In February, George publicly expressed his desire to sign an extension with the Clippers.
This year, George became an All-Star for the ninth time in his career. On the season, the Fresno State alum is averaging 22.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game.
A few teams in the east are monitoring Paul George, per @johnhollinger
“Keep an eye on Paul George, by the way. Presumably, if there was a max extension sitting around for him, he would have signed it by now; I think it’s fair to say a couple of cap-room teams in the East are,… pic.twitter.com/Ix2X1MjcGV
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 19, 2024
Eastern Conference Teams “Monitoring” Perennial NBA All-Star
Who Could Have Interest in Paul George?
Hollinger was not specific about the Eastern Conference teams who may have interest in George. However, earlier reports suggest there are two teams to keep an eye on– the Indiana Pacers and the Philadelphia 76ers. The Pacers drafted George with the 10th pick of the 2010 NBA Draft. George spent seven seasons with the franchise before the team traded him to the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2017. Earlier this year, NBA insider Marc Stein suggested the Pacers had interest in reuniting with the forward. Furthermore, Stein also acknowledged the 76ers as a team that could have interest in George’s services:
“George’s free agency had the potential to be one of next summer’s most interesting storylines with both Philadelphia and PG-13’s old friends in Indiana believed to be interested in pursuing him,” Stein detailed.
This report surfaced before the Pacers traded for Pascal Siakam, which prevents the team from having adequate cap space this summer. That said, a sign-and-trade is still on the table. Furthermore, later reports suggested George is “intrigued” by the idea of playing next to Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton.
As for the 76ers, George would be an excellent addition to the Joel Embiid–Tyrese Maxey duo. His game would complement both players. Additionally, Philadelphia should have the second-highest cap space this offseason. If George is available, it would make sense for the team to go all-in for the 14-year veteran.
The Last Word on Paul George
Right now, there is little reason to believe George will leave the Clippers. The Clippers are better suited to win a title in the near future than the Pacers and 76ers are. Additionally, Kawhi Leonard signed a three-year contract extension in January with the idea that George would remain with the team. Still, crazier things have happened in the NBA.
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