Paul George has declined his $48.7 million player option with the LA Clippers on Saturday, making him a free agent. This decision has sparked significant interest from several NBA teams, including the Golden State Warriors, the Denver Nuggets, and the Philadelphia 76ers. The Warriors had considered making George part of their core alongside Steph Curry and Draymond Green, but logistical challenges and cap complexities have made this difficult. The Nuggets showed serious interest but were unwilling to give up draft capital. The 76ers, with cap space and a need for a star player to complement Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, are seen as a strong contender for George. The Clippers are now faced with the possibility of losing George for nothing or negotiating a sign-and-trade deal. This move by George is expected to have a significant impact on the upcoming NBA free agency period, influencing the decisions of other major players and teams. The new CBA rules and the Sixers' star-hunting pursuit are also key factors in this scenario.
My guess: Clippers believe that PG doesn’t really want to go east. They may end up wrong about that and get burned playing the game of chicken. But if they really thought chances were very high that PG signs out east, they probably play ball with the Warriors on opt-in + trade
Paul George declines $48.7M option with Clippers, becoming free agent: reports https://t.co/XYbCjzXyNB
Can the 76ers get their man? Can they turn the optimism that had transformed into skepticism into elation by nabbing their biggest free-agent acquisition in some time? It appears the Sixers could be in line to lure Paul George in free agency. Previewing Sixers’ free agency…
Where will PG land when free agency opens on Sunday? 🍿👀 (via @wojespn) https://t.co/0pQW8LvfEE
PG still hoping the Clippers change their mind about the money because he really doesn't want to leave, so a bit of a game of chicken going on right now https://t.co/qvNhkipf2a
Paul George will go to the NBA Finals with the Sixers (plz don’t give him the max) https://t.co/EGyh7DEm5q
One of these teams landing Paul George in free agency? 💭 https://t.co/xehVQMJ3dk
No Paul George and probably no Klay Thompson... So what's the Warriors' move now? I don't know. They'll likely keep exploring what they can get for Chris Paul's $30M contract, but if Klay walks, cutting CP3 would get GSWs all the way out of the luxury tax. But they're worse. https://t.co/XBmMU3CWHW
Last week I wrote a deep dive on whether it would be realistic to build a team around a Big 3, investigating what the Sixers' cap situation would look like if they signed Paul George to a max. Bumping it today since Paul George opted out of his contract. https://t.co/TF4x2UNjL8 https://t.co/nF9Fjd1MBo
From our @BleacherReport livestream, what’s next for Paul George after opting out of his contract with the Clippers. https://t.co/GEndHIcLZy
Paul George declines player option and becomes free agent, keeping Sixers’ star-hunting pursuit alive https://t.co/c44hUbClKI
After opting out and entering free agency, where will PG play next season? 🤔 https://t.co/B5WXvs0DPg
Saturday evening impromptu Paul George pod w/ @DerekBodnerNBA & @KyleNeubeck NOW! He opted out! https://t.co/GJCCJaeWnP https://t.co/aQQlErrMN5
Updated LA Clippers 4 scenarios that will play out: 🏀George will sign with the Clippers 🏀George will sign with a team w/room 🏀George will do a sign-and-trade with a room team, allowing LAC to create a large trade exception. The acquiring team is hard capped at the $178.7M… https://t.co/GKyrVRWjJR
Going live at 5:30 for a quick reaction pod to the news that Paul George will hit the free agency market. https://t.co/ghA0bVPIob https://t.co/gzhyeXCKWt
Warriors pursuit of Paul George ends as star enters free agency @unstoppablebaby https://t.co/Kf3KmlQ6oL
Paul George should go to the Sixers. -Perfect fit with Maxey and Embiid -Can sign for the max into cap space -Philly has more cap space and picks to make additional moves Now that sign-and-trades are unlikely, Philly is by far George’s best option to pursue a championship. https://t.co/cPFUATNT5W
Paul George will get to be wined and dined and will feel wanted like the best free agent by a team like Philadelphia that wants to offer significantly more than the Clippers are willing to go. Clips won't be able to trade him for pieces back anymore if PG decides to leave home. https://t.co/dTVfWSyvJE
76ers fans hearing they’ll be going after Paul George https://t.co/yQDBo8EoFf
This is really the first big test of the new CBA rules. Clippers have held firm on not going into the second apron because of how restrictive it is for team building. PG has the potential of max offers on contenders elsewhere, like Philly. Major staring contest now 👀👀 https://t.co/VMhUcARjRW
Clippers are playing an interesting game of chicken with Paul George. If PG walks -- and interest will be strong -- LA will be faced with the possibility of opening up a new building with a team that may not make the play-in tournament.
I’ll translate for Warriors fans: Paul George will not be a Golden State Warrior. The nightmare scenario of missing on PG, being forced to waive Chris Paul to save money, and losing Klay Thompson while only having the mid-level exception for free agents is looking very possible. https://t.co/15sWIoHGQB
No Paul George for the Warriors. On to the next, whatever that is.
NBA free agency 2024: Five players to watch who will define the market https://t.co/QPJGQgXQd7
Paul George has until 6:00 PM ET or three hours from now to make a decision on his $48.7 million option. If George decides to become a free agent, his path to a team without cap space like the Warriors is effectively eliminated. George would then decide between re-signing with… https://t.co/Z62cuRbaLW
Top free agents like Paul George and Demar DeRozan are likely on the move this summer. But to where? Let's take a look. ✍️ https://t.co/VBleMu4hdW https://t.co/SEzQlEYFBA
2024 NBA free agent rankings: Predictions, landing spots https://t.co/zHF5NjegMP https://t.co/Q2RIcHH2cI
If Paul George doesn’t opt into the Clippers later Saturday, Bobby Marks says to keep an eye on “old brotherly love.” https://t.co/uCUdUYagbu
If Paul George extends/re-signs/opts-out today, then I am prepared for many to act as it was always a longshot for Ballmer to trade him to a direct competitor, even at risk of losing him for nothing, while never asking why GSW wasted time on it. Moving my odds for this to 48%.
Paul George has until 2pm PST on Saturday to decide on his player option. If he opts in, it will be a very interesting 25 hours until Chris Paul’s guarantee deadline at 3pm Sunday. I’d also imagine other teams will call in/bid once they know PG is 100% in play for trades.
The Warriors aren’t going to prioritize him this summer, but I have been wondering if they’d be open to trying to get Klay to a preferred destination via sign-&-trade if Paul George falls through? https://t.co/FhnJ15S77f
2024 NBA Free Agency Primer https://t.co/alXWmiZaHE https://t.co/WJfZKJ6kIZ
How the Clippers view Paul George uncertainty with $48.8 million decision looming https://t.co/X8l6fvqEGr https://t.co/aoydwg4AIb
I guess there's a narrow path for GSWs and LACs to concoct a sign-and-trade to get PG13 to GSWs if he opts out & becomes a free agent... But GSWs would have to drop the payroll far enough that adding PG13 wouldn't take them back into the 1st apron. Almost impossible. https://t.co/X5GsdTt2mB
I still see some issues. Not so much from the Warriors' side. If they're PG13's choice, they can negotiate hard. The thorny parts, to me, are on LACs' side. What would be worth sending George to a rival? Why not just give the 4th year & keep him? Can always trade him later. https://t.co/Sn1JnDp4zT
Is Paul George still in play for Sixers? Plus new Klay Thompson rumors https://t.co/3sVwe5kToJ
We are LIVE. Vibe check before free agency opens! @DerekBodnerNBA @_devongivens and @KyleNeubeck discuss the latest on Paul George, Klay Thompson, and all the smoke heading into free agency. Join them NOW: https://t.co/p9tKImBJh2 https://t.co/yArvjOJST5
One last time before free agency begins: - Paul George - Klay Thompson - Brandon Ingram and more… 2:30 showtime w/ @DerekBodnerNBA & @KyleNeubeck to break things down one last time before Sunday. https://t.co/hYpxVMvxQC https://t.co/cylxMTriI3
Paul George’s three real options this offseason: • Re-sign with the LA Clippers • Opt-in and force a trade to the Golden State Warriors • Sign with the Philadelphia 76ers as a free agent “To my to my mind, there’s only three real options that I can that I know about… https://t.co/KMTMuphntg
Some thoughts on the cap complexities of any possible Paul George - Golden State scenario https://t.co/9QhdSmlk4V
My 2024 NBA Free Agency Primer: 🏀Brandon Ingram as a consolation prize for Paul George 🏀Houston’s fight against self-restraint 🏀Chicago’s fight against common sense 🏀Portland’s turn as a fascinating seller 🏀Daryl Morey’s blank canvas And more! https://t.co/cE5rtkiUux
Report: Nuggets Had 'Serious Interest' In Acquiring Paul George, Could Pursue Klay Thompson https://t.co/HUUN7Gurv2
What we’re hearing on Paul George (are the Warriors a real possibility?), Klay Thompson, KCP, Chris Paul, the Rockets’ star hunting and more, w/ @anthonyVslater, at @TheAthletic https://t.co/Z1tfL0fJz4
Some Warriors Fans are angry I said GSWs would be the favorites--not a sure thing--if Paul George says he only wants to go to GSWs. Err, LACs still have a say in this because the Warriors can't just sign PG13 outright as a free agent. Not sorry if you're furious about this.
What will Paul George do? Does Pat Riley have a trick up his sleeve? And can the Lakers give JJ Redick a team that makes sense for the way he wants to play? @MichaelVPina analyzed those questions and more ahead of a pivotal NBA offseason. https://t.co/v8BOFsqwQW
"[Paul George] is the biggest domino that is going to affect a whole bunch of big names over the next three or four days." —@WindhorstESPN on the impact PG-13 could have on free agency 👀 https://t.co/lAQhgJTYG0
The Denver Nuggets had "serious interest" in Paul George but were unwilling to give up draft capital, per @sam_amick & @anthonyVslater “League sources say the Denver Nuggets, for example, had serious interest recently in the prospect of adding George by way of a possible… https://t.co/NrW363tpZv
The Golden State Warriors have legitimate interest in making Paul George part of their new core alongside Steph Curry and Draymond Green, per league sources. @sam_amick and @anthonyVslater on George's suitors and more ahead of NBA free agency ⤵️ https://t.co/lFebdKlWnY https://t.co/HWuu9jNbi0
Clippers push to retain Paul George, 'respect' if he opts out https://t.co/c9euGEcChA