It is not yet clear where Paul George will play next season. But it is clear where he will not play.
The Los Angeles Clippers released a statement Sunday night announcing that George has informed them he will be playing for another team.
“Paul has informed us that he will sign his next contract with another NBA team,” the Clippers statement read. “Paul is a tremendous talent and an elite two-way player. We are fortunate to have spent five years with him.”
The team cited a “significant” gap in negotiations as the reason for the failed talks with George.
“We spent months negotiating with Paul and his representatives for a contract that would make sense for both parties, and we were left far apart. The gap was significant.
“We understand and respect Paul’s decision to look elsewhere for his next contract.”
The Clippers also noted that a trade scenario would not have made sense for the team.
“We explored an opt-in and trade scenario, but that would have left us in a similar position under the new CBA, with very little asset value to justify the restrictions,” the statement read.
The Clippers made the announcement shortly after the start of NBA free agency negotiations on Sunday evening.
Where will Paul George end up?
George, an unrestricted free agent after opting out of his contract on Saturday, has reportedly agreed to meetings with the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic. The Magic have reportedly agreed to a deal with shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, a possible sign that they may no longer be in the market for George. 76ers are favorites to sign himaccording to multiple reports.
At 34 years old, George is still a high-level two-way player, averaging 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 47.1 percent from the field and a career-high 41.3 percent from 3 last season. He made his ninth career All-Star team and will be coveted on the open market by prospects with cap room looking for help on the wing.
A new Clippers era ends without a title
The development marks the end of an era in Los Angeles and a failed attempt to build a championship team around George and Kawhi Leonard.
The Clippers traded to acquire George in a blockbuster 2019 deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Los Angeles sent Oklahoma City a package that included five first-round draft picks, two pick swaps, Danilo Gallinari and — most notably — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has developed into a two-time First Team All-NBA selection and MVP finalist. The Thunder have developed into a championship contender with one of the league’s most promising rosters, thanks in part to that deal.
The Clippers made the big move to acquire George after signing Leonard as a free agent. Fresh off leading the Toronto Raptors to an NBA championship, Leonard combined with George for one of the NBA’s most powerful one-two punches.
The Clippers failed to turn the tandem into a championship contender. With both stars plagued by injuries, the Clippers never reached the NBA Finals. Their best performance with George and Leonard saw the Clippers advance to the 2021 Western Conference Finals, where they lost to the Phoenix Suns.
The Clippers haven’t won a playoff series since. With Leonard sidelined due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament, they missed the playoffs in 2022. They have failed to advance beyond the first round the past two seasons.
“We traded a lot for Paul and Kawhi, and in return we had five seasons of contention,” the Clippers said in a statement. “While we did not achieve our ultimate goal, we appreciate the opportunities we had with Paul.”
With George gone, the Clippers are faced with rebuilding the roster around Leonard and James Harden, who reportedly agreed to return to the Clippers on Sunday on a two-year contract worth $70 million.
George’s departure puts a damper on the planned opening of the Intuit Dome next season. The Clippers are moving to their own arena in Inglewood after sharing a venue with the Lakers since they moved to Los Angeles in 1984.
