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Paul George enters the summer of 2024 as the top unrestricted free agent on the market according to our HoopsHype free agent rankings.
Many around the league believe George will want to remain in Los Angeles as a Clipper, but after two total postseason trips ending in a first-round exit in the past three seasons, an aging core going forward, and limited flexibility to improve if the trio remains, will George desire the convenience of playing at home or chase a potentially better chance to win elsewhere?
The Clippers want to retain George as one of their foundational core pieces going into the opening of Intuit Dome later in 2024 and beyond, but extension talks with the nine-time All-Star broke down earlier this season with the organization hoping he’d take less than a max contract in discussions, league sources told HoopsHype.
The Clippers signed Kawhi Leonard to a three-year, $153 million extension on January 11. Ideally, the organization didn’t want to go above that contract to extend the 34-year-old George, with Leonard viewed as the team’s best player, league sources told HoopsHype. However, the Clippers may not have a choice and be forced to pay George a max contract or risk losing him as he’s expected to command significant interest on the free agent market, with the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic already being linked to the versatile forward.
One scenario the 76ers have envisioned this offseason is a trio of Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and George, league sources told HoopsHype. However, some around the league wonder if George would be willing to relocate across the country to the colder weather and if the Sixers will be used as potential leverage during free agency negotiations.
Orlando has built its core around size and length and will enter the offseason looking to improve outside shooting. George, a 41.3 percent 3-point shooter this season, would seemingly check off every box for Orlando and be an All-Star veteran presence the team has lacked for years.
George could also have a larger market than only teams with cap space this summer. Theoretically, George could opt into his contract and be traded with the understanding he’d work out a new deal, which would open up possibilities for teams like the Kings, Heat, Rockets, Mavericks, and others looking to acquire another star to fortify their championship contending chances going into next season.