Paul George has a $48.8M participant choice for subsequent season and is extensively anticipated to say no that choice and enter unrestricted free company. He’s additionally eligible to signal a contract extension with the LA Clippers.
Nonetheless, neither George nor the Clippers entrance workplace have been in a position to attain an settlement.
NBA insider Marc Stein has reported that George’s most popular selection can be to stay in Los Angeles. Nonetheless, the Clippers could must pay over the percentages to maintain their star ahead round.
“Extra sources than not we have consulted consider George’s desire, as a proud Southern California native, continues to be re-signing with the Clippers, however the incumbent crew’s obvious reluctance to increase George an extended or richer deal than Kawhi Leonard’s latest three-year contract extension within the $150M vary has put George’s future in legit flux,” Stein reported on Sunday.
George has just lately turned 34. He has been with the Clippers for 5 seasons. This season was the primary time he performed in additional than 56 video games since he moved to Los Angeles.
His harm points, advancing age and the very fact he is now not in his prime are all legit causes to not supply him a max contract extension.
Steve Ballmer and the Clippers entrance workplace will not need to overpay an injury-prone ahead with no championship expertise. When he is wholesome, George is likely one of the greatest two-way forwards within the NBA. He is an elite scorer and distinctive on-ball defender. His well being has been fleeting, although. He performed simply 48 video games within the 2019-20 season and 31 in 21-22.
Retaining George is probably going excessive on the record of the Clippers’ priorities. Nonetheless, they will need to signal him to a deal that is sensible for the franchise.
George has did not convey success to the Clippers. He is not a max-contract participant anymore. If he is prepared to simply accept a good deal, he may spend the ultimate years of his profession in his hometown. If not, he may have to leap ship and be part of one other contender.
George’s greatest likelihood at contending for a championship is probably going with the Clippers. He and Kawhi Leonard are nonetheless probably the greatest duos within the NBA. Cash talks, although. George will possible go the place the most effective contract supply is.
As such, each he and the Clippers might be ready to see who blinks first. It is going to be fascinating to observe this mini-saga unfold over the approaching weeks.
