One of the biggest names in this crop of free agents has officially stepped into the open market.
Paul George has reportedly declined his $48.7 million player option with the Clippers for next season and will test free agency, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Saturday.
After declining the option and hitting the open market, an opt-in/trade scenario between the Clippers and a potential trade partner is now gone.
The Palmdale, Calif. native is planning to take free agent meetings with the Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic beginning late Sunday night and Monday, according to Wojnarowski.
George can now sign a max contract of at least four years. Though with the NBA’s over-38 rule, it’s unlikely the Clippers will offer the veteran a five-year deal.
After his first four seasons as a Clipper were plagued by injury, George was able to suit up for 74 games in the 2023-24 season. The nine-time All-Star averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists on 47.1 per cent shooting from the field and 41.3 per cent from beyond int he recent campaign.
The Clippers originally acquired Paul George in a trade with the Thunder in July 2020 to pair with free agent acquisition Kawhi Leonard.