NBA Free Agency 2024: Paul George opts out of Clippers contract, enters free agency

Nine-time NBA All-Star Paul George has declined his $48.8 million option to play for the Los Angeles Clippers next season, becoming 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), 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 contract worth up to $221 million. According to multiple reports, they were unwilling to offer more than the three-year, $152.4 million extension Kawhi Leonard signed during the season. George’s decision to step down will test the Clippers’ intentions.

The Clippers traded Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Danilo Gallinari and the rights to seven first-round draft picks for George in the summer of 2019, while they were also in the process of signing Leonard to LA. Last season marked the first time George played more than 56 games in a season for the Clippers.

George led the franchise to its first Western Conference Finals appearance in 2021.

The Philadelphia 76ers, who consider themselves the only championship contender with a max salary cap, have long been expected to be contenders, even after The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that the team’s interest in George “has waned significantly.” (Perhaps because his interest in them has waned?) Sixers star Joel Embiid was recruit openly George in Philadelphia on live television during the NBA Finals.

However, fighting for the title may not be George’s only focus as a free agent.

“People say they want to win a championship,” George said on a recent episode of his podcast, discussing his goals as a free agent. “It’s not that, but it’s playing the right style of basketball that’s what I’m looking for.”

George can sign with another team for up to $212 million over the next four seasons. The Detroit Pistons are currently the only team, besides the Sixers, expected to clear enough cap space to sign him.