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Paul George enters the summer time of 2024 as the highest unrestricted free agent in the marketplace in keeping with our HoopsHype free agent rankings.
Many across the league imagine George will need to stay in Los Angeles as a Clipper, however after two whole postseason journeys ending in a first-round exit previously three seasons, an growing older core going ahead, and restricted flexibility to enhance if the trio stays, will George want the comfort of taking part in at residence or chase a probably higher likelihood to win elsewhere?
The Clippers need to retain George as one in every of their foundational core items going into the opening of Intuit Dome later in 2024 and past, however extension talks with the nine-time All-Star broke down earlier this season with the group hoping he’d take lower than a max contract in discussions, league sources instructed HoopsHype.
The Clippers signed Kawhi Leonard to a three-year, $153 million extension on January 11. Ideally, the group didn’t need to go above that contract to increase the 34-year-old George, with Leonard considered because the crew’s finest participant, league sources instructed HoopsHype. Nonetheless, the Clippers could not have a alternative and be compelled to pay George a max contract or danger dropping him as he’s anticipated to command important curiosity on the free agent market, with the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic already being linked to the versatile ahead.
One situation the 76ers have envisioned this offseason is a trio of Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and George, league sources instructed HoopsHype. Nonetheless, some across the league surprise if George could be prepared to relocate throughout the nation to the colder climate and if the Sixers will likely be used as potential leverage throughout free company negotiations.
Orlando has constructed its core round measurement and size and can enter the offseason trying to enhance exterior capturing. George, a 41.3 % 3-point shooter this season, would seemingly verify off each field for Orlando and be an All-Star veteran presence the crew has lacked for years.
George may even have a bigger market than solely groups with cap house this summer time. Theoretically, George may choose into his contract and be traded with the understanding he’d work out a brand new deal, which might open up potentialities for groups just like the Kings, Warmth, Rockets, Mavericks, and others trying to purchase one other star to fortify their championship contending probabilities going into subsequent season.
