Kofi Inkoom
According to Marc Stein of the Stein Line, Paul George is “increasingly realistic” to opt into his $48.8 million player option, compelling the Clippers to trade him. The Clippers have until June 30 to sign George to an extension, that’s barely a week away.
“There is a growing feeling leaguewide that the 34-year-old picking up his $48.8 million player option for next season to force the Clippers to trade him is an increasingly realistic scenario after months of fruitless contract extension negotiations between the parties. The Clippers appear unwilling to offer a richer deal to George than Kawhi Leonard received in January ($150 million-ish over three seasons)” Stein writes.
If George decides to opt in, teams like the 76ers, Knicks, and Houston Rockets are expected to express interest in the 34-year-old forward.
In the 2023-24 season, George averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists for the Clippers, shooting 47.1% from the field, 41.3% from beyond the arc, and 90.7% from the free-throw line. Despite his efforts, the Clippers were eliminated by the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the 2024 playoffs.
George and Kawhi Leonard joined the Clippers in the summer of 2019, yet the team has never reached the NBA Finals in its history. Throughout his career with the Pacers, Thunder, and Clippers, George has averaged 20.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists. He hails from Palmdale, California.
More on LAC :
- Michael Scotto of HoopsHype reports that Wizards wing Landry Shamet has garnered exploratory trade interest from several NBA teams, including the Clippers. Shamet has been known for his three-point shooting, boasting a career 38.8% rate from beyond the arc before last season when he shot just 33.8% while averaging a career-low 15.8 minutes per game. Scotto adds that if Shamet stays with the Wizards, the team is inclined to guarantee his $11 million salary for the 2024-25 season, which is currently non-guaranteed, as is his $11.75 million salary for 2025-26.
- Scotto further notes that, PJ Tucker is expected to exercise his $11.54 million player option for the upcoming 2024-25 season with the Clippers. PJ Tucker joined the Clippers via the James Harden trade. Last season, he averaged 1.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 0.5 assists per game, playing about 15.7 minutes each contest. He shot 36.0% from the field and 37.1% from three-point range.