LA Clippers star Paul George has decided to decline his $48.7 million player option and enter free agency, sources tell ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. This seismic decision marks the first major development in the NBA’s free agency period, with George poised to explore his options among teams with sufficient salary cap space to make a competitive offer.
George, who plans to meet with prospective teams, including the Clippers, as soon as Sunday night, has ruled out the possibility of an opt-in-and-trade scenario. The nine-time All-Star is coming off a season in which he played 74 regular-season games-the most since joining the Clippers in 2019. Averaging 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, George also posted career highs in shooting efficiency, with an impressive 47.1% from the field, 41.3% from beyond the arc, and 90.7% from the free-throw line.
Despite his individual success, the Clippers and George were unable to agree on an extension, leading to his decision to test free agency. George, now 34, is eligible to sign a four-year, $212 million contract with other teams or negotiate up to a four-year, $221 million deal to remain with the Clippers, including a potential no-trade clause. However, due to the NBA’s over-38 rule, a five-year contract with the Clippers is not an option.
“We love Paul,” Clippers president of basketball operations Lawrence Frank said on Thursday. “We very much want to retain Paul, but we also very much understand and respect the fact this is a business. We hope Paul’s decision is to be here. He’s been awesome. He’s been an All-Star. He’s one of the best two-way players in the league. He’s a terrific person. He’s got a great family, so we hope he’s here but also respect the fact that if he chooses to opt out, that’s his choice. He’s earned it and we’ll see how things play out.“
Clippers want George to stay, but there are obstacles
George’s connection to the Clippers runs deep. After asking for a trade from the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2019, he moved to Los Angeles to play alongside Kawhi Leonard and be closer to his family in Palmdale. The Clippers, transitioning to their new Intuit Dome, are keen to keep their star duo intact, as Leonard and George have led the team to a 69% winning percentage when both are on the court. However, their tenure has been marred by injuries and early playoff exits, including a first-round loss to Dallas this past season.
La canasta ganadora de Paul George, lo mejor de la noche en la NBA
Owner Steve Ballmer’s financial prowess notwithstanding, the Clippers face tough decisions under the new collective bargaining agreement, which imposes stricter financial constraints on tax-paying teams. Frank highlighted the challenges of aligning their star players’ contracts and maintaining roster flexibility, especially with another key player, point guard James Harden, also entering free agency.
Since being drafted 10th overall in 2010 by the Indiana Pacers, George has solidified his status as one of the NBA’s elite wing players. His journey, marked by resilience after a severe leg injury in 2014, has seen him earn six All-NBA selections and a place among the league’s most consistent performers. Now, as the top free agent of the summer, George’s decision will likely set the tone for the NBA’s offseason, with teams vying for his signature in hopes of reshaping their futures.
As the first big domino falls, the league holds its breath, waiting to see where Paul George will take his talents next. The stakes are high, and the implications of his choice will reverberate throughout the NBA, setting the stage for a summer of intrigue and strategic maneuvering.
