Paul George may headline a star-studded free company class
this summer season, alongside the likes of LeBron James, Klay Thompson, James Harden,
DeMar DeRozan and Jrue Vacation. That’s if George and the Clippers do not agree
to a contract extension beforehand.
Within the wake of George’s potential free company, rumors have been swirling of teams such as the Philadelphia 76ers and Indiana Pacers pursuing the All-Star wing this summer season. Whereas the Sixers are projected to have in extra of $50 in cap area, the Pacers have the pliability to re-sign Pascal Siakam and nonetheless supply George a max-level contract to probably type a Large 3 led by Tyrese Haliburton.
Whereas addressing the rumors after the Clippers’ win over the
Pistons on Saturday, George made it clear that his plan was to remain long-term in his
hometown group in Los Angeles.
“That is the purpose,” George mentioned, via Sports Illustrated, when requested if he and the
Clippers had been engaged on a contract extension.
George — drafted by the Pacers in 2011 — performed seven seasons in Indiana earlier than being shipped off to Oklahoma Metropolis in 2017. As healthful as a George-Pacers reunion sounds, Steve Ballmer — the richest proprietor in sports activities — is reportedly decided to discipline a championship contender as his Clippers move to a new arena beginning with the 2024-25 season.
In that endeavor, his entrance workplace recently signed Kawhi Leonard to a contract extension, and per a number of insiders, the Clippers plan to do the identical
with Harden and George later in the summertime. If Ballmer’s plan involves fruition, the Clippers — already
within the second tax apron — may very well be a luxurious tax invoice north of $400
million subsequent season.