According to NBA insider Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report, the Philadelphia 76ers will pursue Paul George this summer if the forward doesn’t sign an extension with the Los Angeles Clippers.
George can become an unrestricted free agent this offseason if he declines his 2024-25 player option with the Clippers worth $48.8 million.
The Clippers signed Kawhi Leonard to a three-year, $149 million extension on January 10. Barring a surprise, George will likely sign a three-year extension as well so he can be tied with Leonard.
It sounds like the Sixers are hoping something drastically negative happens with the Clippers in the 2024 playoffs which causes George to not extend with the franchise, decline his player option and enter free agency. As of now, it’s hard to imagine George not signing an extension with the Clippers.
A nine-time All-Star, George is averaging 22.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.4 blocks this season while shooting 45.6% from the field, 40.3% from beyond the arc and 90.8% from the free-throw line. He’s making $45.6 million.
The Clippers are 34-16. They are in fourth place in the Western Conference standings. With future Hall of Famers Leonard, George, James Harden and Russell Westbrook leading the way, the Clippers look like legitimate title contenders.
George and Leonard joined the Clippers in the summer of 2019. LAC acquired George from the Oklahoma City Thunder and signed Leonard in free agency. George and Leonard haven’t guided the Clippers to the NBA Finals yet, but that could change this season.
Since getting traded to the Clippers, George is averaging 23.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.4 blocks. He’s one of the top two-way players in the NBA.
The 33-year-old George has career averages of 20.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.7 steals and 0.4 blocks with the Indiana Pacers, Thunder and Clippers. He has made six All-NBA teams and four All-Defensive teams. George also won the 2012-13 Most Improved Player of the Year Award.
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