Kofi Inkoom
The Clippers are hesitant to offer Paul George a contract exceeding the three-year, $152.3 million extension they gave Kawhi Leonard in January, according to Keith Pompey of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
George could become an unrestricted free agent this summer if he opts out of his $48.8 million player option for the 2024-25 season. The Clippers have barely 34 days, thus June 30th, to extend his contract.
“According to league sources, Los Angeles was unwilling to offer George more than the three-year, $152.3 million extension it gave to Kawhi Leonard,” Pompey wrote. “However, the 34-year-old is eligible to receive a four-year, $221 million contract. The Sixers and other suitors can offer a four-year, $212 million contract. The Clippers are holding out hope that George, a Southern California native, will take less money to remain close home.”
The Philadelphia 76ers believe they have a solid chance of signing George away from the Clippers. The Sixers are projected to have $60 million in cap space this summer.
George, one of the league’s top two-way players, averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists for the Clippers this season, shooting 47.1% from the field, 41.3% from three-point range, and 90.7% from the free-throw line.
Both the Clippers and Sixers were eliminated in the first round of this year’s playoffs. Los Angeles was defeated by the Dallas Mavericks, while Philadelphia lost to the New York Knicks.
A California native, George has career averages of 20.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists with the Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Los Angeles Clippers.