It looks like keeping Paul George long-term won’t be easy for the Los Angeles Clippers. Not with the Philadelphia 76ers apparently interested in pursuing the two-way star in the offseason.
The Sixers have been mentioned as a potential suitor for George should he opt to enter free agency this 2024. With that said, the Clippers will have to pay up if they want to keep him in LA.
Paul George’s Contract Situation With Los Angeles Clippers
George has a $48.8 million player option for the 2024-25 season. Should he decline that option, he’ll be an unrestricted free agent and could command over $50 million annually in his next deal.
There’s benefit in the Clippers reaching an extension with George before he hits free agency. After all, the team will still have to deal with James Harden as they look to keep the trio together in hopes of winning a championship.
Nonetheless, with the Sixers also interested in George, he has the leverage. He’ll get paid anyway, so George could force the Clippers to pay him the maximum of the four-year, $221.1 million that they can offer. If not, PG13 can enter free agency and explore a pathway to the Sixers.
According to Bleacher Report, sources around the NBA expect Steve Ballmer to eventually reach an extension agreement with George. They want to keep him. But they still have to figure out the numbers, which could prove tricky considering the competition they are facing for George’s services.
“Many sources around the league think Clippers governor Steve Ballmer will eventually decide to pay up. The nuance may be in the number of years. A sign-and-trade wouldn’t be legal for the Clippers. Even without George, the Clippers’ payroll is high enough that the team has no real means to replace him if he leaves for the Sixers,” Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report shared.
What Can Philadelphia 76ers Offer Paul George?
Considering that the Philadelphia 76ers are determined to compete for a championship, they are definitely motivated to add a third star to pair with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. The James Harden experiment didn’t work, but they have a chance for redemption in free agency.
In Pincus’ report, though, he noted that the Sixers will likely need to shell out a four-year max contract worth around $212.2 million to lure Paul George. While they will also have to pay Maxey, who is due for a new contract or else he’ll become a restricted free agent, it remains possible for them to free up the money for a new Big 3.
“To get to that $49.4 million starting salary, the 76ers would need to initially wait on re-signing Tyrese Maxey (his cap hold as a free agent will be only $13 million) and pare their roster down to just Embiid. Everyone else is either a free agent or non-guaranteed (Paul Reed’s $7.7 million salary in 2024-25 becomes guaranteed only if the team advances to the second round of the playoffs this year),” Pincus added.
Regardless of what the Sixers will do, however. One thing is clear: George is going to get paid this offseason.
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