2 East Contenders Strongly Linked To Clippers’ Paul George

The Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic are closely watching Paul George’s contractual situation with the Los Angeles Clippers, signaling potential interest in acquiring the NBA superstar if he opts out of his current deal.

George can become an unrestricted free agent this summer if he does not pick up his player option for the 2024-25 season, which is worth $48.8 million.

Both the 76ers and the Magic are looking for a veteran wing to bolster their squads, and George fits the bill perfectly.

“Every time I watch the Sixers, I’m like, ‘Oh, they could use Paul George,’” said NBA insider Ramona Shelburne on the Hoop Collective podcast, indicating that the interest in George is due to his ability to fill a significant need on these teams.

This season, George has posted impressive stats for the Clippers, with averages of 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists while maintaining high shooting percentages across the board. His performance has been a critical factor for the Clippers, especially in the ongoing playoffs where they are tied 2-2 in the first round against the Dallas Mavericks.

The Clippers, meanwhile, are dealing with the strategic decision of whether to extend George’s contract as they prepare to move into the new Intuit Dome next season. They have recently extended Kawhi Leonard with a three-year, $149 million deal, but the question remains if they will do the same for George.

“It’s just a matter of whether the Clippers are gonna give him the max, which is something they don’t wanna do because they didn’t give it to Kawhi,” mentioned ESPN’s Brian Windhorst on the podcast.

As the Clippers contemplate their next moves, teams like the 76ers and Magic are poised to swoop in if George hits the open market, making his off-season decision all the more pivotal for multiple franchises.