Report: Paul George declines option, will become free agent
Los Angeles Clippers star wing Paul George won't exercise his $48.7-million player option for the 2024-25 season, setting him up to become a free agent this summer, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
The California native is expected to be aggressively pursued by the Philadelphia 76ers, sources told Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports. The franchise has retained enough financial flexibility this summer to potentially sign one of the market's top names.
George plans to set up meetings with the 76ers and the Orlando Magic after the negotiating window opens Sunday at 6 p.m. ET, sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania.
He also reportedly plans to negotiate with the Clippers on a new deal to remain in L.A.. However, his decision, which had to made by Saturday, means the two sides now cannot negotiate an agreement where George opts in to his final season under contract but L.A. trades him to a preferred destination for assets, according to Wojnarowski.
The 34-year-old can cash in on a max contract of at least four years with all 29 other teams (he could receive a five-year max from the Clippers, but the NBA's over-38 rule in the CBA means the team tendering him a five-year deal is unlikely). He was eligible this past season to sign a four-year max extension worth up to $221 million with the Clippers, but the sides never reached an agreement.
Lawrence Frank, the franchise's president of basketball operations, admitted Thursday that the organization has to now operate in cognizance of the CBA's new penalties for teams with higher tax bills despite franchise owner Steve Ballmer's willingness to spend. Teams whose tax payments cross certain thresholds now lose the ability to use certain exceptions to add players and face stricter salary-matching rules in trades.
"This is a business and the reality of the new CBA impacts teams like us," Frank said, courtesy of Wojnarowski.
George is coming off his healthiest season as a Clipper after being plagued by injuries in his first four years. He missed eight games and had consecutive absences just once while averaging 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 steals. He also posted rounded shooting splits of 47/41/90, leading the Clippers in 3-point attempts per contest with 7.9.