The Los Angeles Clippers are hoping to have a deal in place with superstar forward Paul Georgein the coming months. Amid a hopeful regular season (45-27) run, the Clippers are willing to keep their star core intact. However, even after Kawhi Leonard agreeing to a new deal, Paul George, who has an option for the upcoming summer, remains stuck with his current contract.
There are several rumors regarding George with the Philadelphia 76ers pushing for a potential inquiry, if he opts out of his player option and become a free agent. For now, ESPN insider Brian Windhorst shared a new update on George’s contract situation during his Hoop Collective podcast.
“…it’s now been three months, give or take, and there’s been no agreement on Paul George and the word in the NBA is that they’re apart. It’s not like, let’s have a big problem. They’re apart,” Windhorst noted (h/t Bleacher Report).
However, the NBA insider ended his thought with an optimistic sentiment regarding Paul George future with the Los Angeles Clippers.
“…My informed speculation is that, eventually, Paul will agree to a deal with the Clippers. It may not be for the full max, but it may be for more than what the Clippers have been offering.”
George is averaging 22.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 66 games for the 45-27 Clippers. He has proven that he’s the perfect supertar sidekick alongside Kawhi Leonard and James Harden. Harden is also set to become a free agent this summer after opting in his last year of his deal in the previous offseason.
Paul George could use NBA teams interest as a way to generate leverage in talks with the Clippers
The Philadelphia 76ers are set to search for a fellow All-Star to add alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. But, a recent report from Sixers’ beat writer Keith Pompey reveals that the Clippers’ swingman could use Philadelphia as a way to generate more leverage in the ongoing talks with his current team.
As of now, there is no true indication that Paul George would want to leave LA, but the fact that he has not signed a new deal, especially after Leonard’s extension, might be an indication that the two sides are not near any agreement.
George might have the upper hand in the situation with the Clippers as the franchise will not be able to replace him with an All-Star caliber player and they have not enough assets to generate a sign-and-trade deal. More specifically, if the 76ers’ interest is real, Philadelphia will have the cap space to sign him outright without the help of the Clippers.
For now, the Clippers should remain the favorites to retain George’s services after the summer, but the longer they wait, the less likely they are to do so.
