Key Takeaways:
– Los Angeles Clippers’ Paul George remains non-committal on his NBA future.
– The Sixers intend to use their huge cap space to draw George for a possible ‘Big Three’ with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
– George, 34, could forgo his $48.8 player option for next season to become an unrestricted free-agent.
– Sixers are reportedly ready to offer him a four-year max deal worth $212.2 million if he \
George Unperturbed on Future, Focuses on Decompressing
Following the LA Clippers’ underwhelming first-round exit in the recent NBA Playoffs, top player Paul George says any speculation about his future is not his current focus. Addressing the media on his upcoming key decision this offseason, George claims, “I’ve got a lot to kind of digest myself, so I haven’t even got to that yet.” He hinted at a sabbatical to absorb the recent events, being around family support, and subsequently deciding the next steps.
While he acknowledged the vital role of continuity in capturing an NBA championship, he chose not to comment on his ongoing contract discussions with the Clippers. When asked about his chances of reuniting with Kawhi Leonard and James Harden next
season, he replied affirmatively with a touch of uncertainty, “Yeah, If it works that way, absolutely.”
Sixers Firmly Eyeing on George Acquisition
The Philadelphia 76ers are betting on the ‘if’ clause, and hope to secure George with their enormous cap space. The intention is for him to join forces with Joel Embiid and the season’s most improved player, Tyrese Maxey, forming a formidable trio.
At 34, George has his eyes set on a substantial final payday. He has yet to consent to an extension with the Clippers and may renounce his $48.8 million player option for the upcoming season. The possibility of him becoming an unrestricted free agent has the Sixers extremely interested.
Sixers’ Interest has Clippers on Alert
NBA insider Marc Stein of Substack opines that the Sixers and the Orlando Magic are the teams with massive cap spaces, keen on acquiring George this summer. But the Clippers are more apprehensive about the Sixers. Stein revealed on the #thisleague UNCUT podcast: “It’s the 76ers who have the Clippers most concerned”, highlighting long-term worries.
The Magic have the potential to reach $66 million in cap space, whereas the Sixers could have nearly $56 million, according to Eric Pincus, a salary cap expert with Bleacher Report. However, the Sixers posses more superstar muscle in Embiid and Maxey.
Sixers Ready to Splash a Max Deal
It is rumored that the Sixers would propose a four-year max deal worth $212.2 million to George if he opts for unrestricted free agency. The Clippers, on the other hand, can surpass that amount as they are the only squad that could extend a four-year, $221 million offer through June 30.
Brian Windhorst, while appearing on ESPN’s “Get Up”, suggested, “I think Philly is going to come out with a max offer to Paul George. The Clippers will have to decide the max [contract for George] or not, and George must decide, ‘Do I want to stay [with the Clippers] or not.”
The Clippers are optimistically hoping that George accepts a below-par deal after Leonard, who agreed to a three-year, $150 million extension, ignoring the four-year extension worth an estimated $223 million for which he was eligible.