Nine-time NBA All-Star Paul George declined his $48.8 million option to play for the Los Angeles Clippers next season, making him one of the league’s most coveted free agents, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The 34-year-old averaged 22.6 points (on 47/41/91 shooting splits), 5.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game last season, leading the Clippers to the first round of the playoffs . They lost to the Dallas Mavericks.
The Clippers can offer George a four-year, $221 million max contract. They are unwilling to offer more than the three-year, $152.4 million extension Kawhi Leonard signed during the offseason, according to multiple reports. George’s decision to opt out will test the Clippers’ intentions.
BREAKING: Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George will waive his $48.7 million option and enter free agency, sources tell ESPN. He plans to schedule meetings starting Sunday evening with teams that have cap space and the Clippers. An opt-in/trade scenario is now a thing of the past. pic.twitter.com/kASDp58eDD
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 29, 2024
The Clippers traded Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari and the rights to seven first-round draft picks for George in the summer of 2019 as they were also in the process of recruiting Leonard to LA. Last season was the first time George played more than 56 games in one season for the Clippers.
George led the franchise to its first appearance in the Western Conference Finals in 2021.
The Philadelphia 76ers, who consider themselves the only championship contender with maximum salary cap space, have long been expected as suitors, even after The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that the team’s interest in George has “diminished significantly.” (Maybe because his interest in them has waned?) Sixers star Joel Embiid was openly recruit George to Philadelphia on live television during the NBA Finals.
However, competing for a championship may not be George’s only goal in free agency.
“People say they’re chasing a championship,” George said during a recent episode of his podcast, discussing his goals in free agency. “It’s not that, but I’m chasing playing the right style of basketball.”
George can sign with another team for as much as $212 million over the next four seasons. The Detroit Pistons are currently the only team other than the Sixers that is expected to free up enough cap space to sign him.
