NBA Rumors: Eastern Contender Interested As Paul George's Days With Clippers Nearing An End

While the Los Angeles Clippers were happy to sign up for another three seasons of Kawhi Leonard, it's becoming apparent that they might not be doing the same with Leonard's sidekick Paul George. Rumors are circulating that the Clippers are not interested in meeting George's contract demands on an extension.

The belief is that the Clippers are unwilling to meet Paul George's expectations for his next contract, per @PompeyOnSixers

“The Sixers are closely monitoring the situation, hoping the Clippers let George slip away.”

(Via https://t.co/3n4iCDUNtn) pic.twitter.com/h5a1O1fKQB
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 28, 2024

Basketball insider Keith Pompey claims that the Clippers are not willing to agree on another expensive long-term deal with PG13, who has a player option for next season at $48.7 million before becoming an unrestricted free agent the following summer.

He also claims that the Philadelphia 76ers are "closely monitoring the situation, hoping the Clippers let George slip away.” In fact, he writes, Philly's "desire to acquire Paul George in free agency is the NBA's worst-kept secret." He even added that "there are some who expect both sides to reach an agreement."

And if George opts out of his contract this summer to hit free agency, the Sixers could have about $77 million in salary cap space to play with. That would certainly be enough to get George on board with Embiid, Maxey & Co.

Now whether this rumor was leaked by George's camp as a negotiating ploy is impossible to know at this point, but if the Clippers really aren't ready to pony up, then PG could just hit the market.

Pompey isn't the only one suggesting that PG's future in LA could be coming to a close, with insider Marc Stein saying recently that after Kawhi was signed on for another 3 years and $149M, there are "suspicions that the subsequent offers to George have fallen an unknown amount shy of the numbers contained in [Leonard's] extension."

Meanwhile, the Clippers have been on a recent downward trend, and are only 2 1/2 games from falling into a play-in spot in the West.

Paul George in 14 games in March is averaging 24 points while shooting 52.7% from the field and 46.% from 3 & came up HUGE last night in the 4th with 11 points in the first 7 minutes when the Clippers were on the ropes with another run by the opp to start the 4th.

This 3 👇🤫 pic.twitter.com/eZ5Myi2GiU
— Adam Auslund (@followAdamA) March 28, 2024