NBA Free Agent Rumors: Surprise Team Is 2nd Club With An Eye on Stealing Paul George

The Los Angeles Clippers find themselves in a battle in their first-round series with the Dallas Mavericks, tied at two games apiece heading into Wednesday's Game 5. But it appears that after the season is done, the Clips will have another battle on their hands, trying to hold onto star forward Paul George, who has a chance to opt out of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent.

Reports are emerging that say the Clippers are nervous about extending a max offer to George, and if they don't, there are two teams that are ready to swoop in and try to snag him — the Orlando Magic have now surprisingly joined the Philadelphia 76ers as serious PG suitors.

The Orlando Magic are interested in Paul George, per @ramonashelburne

"There's two teams that are paying very close attention to Paul George: the Orlando Magic and the Philadelphia 76ers, because both of them have the money to throw at him and have a need for a wing just like… pic.twitter.com/sIMK9eCaHg
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) May 1, 2024

“There’s two teams that are paying very close attention to Paul George: the Orlando Magic and the Philadelphia 76ers, because both of them have the money to throw at him and have a need for a wing, just like him, a veteran guy. Every time I watch the Sixers I’m like, ‘Oh, they could use Paul George’," said ESPN's Ramona Shelburne.

Her compatriot, Brian Windhorst, reveals that “It’s just a matter of whether the Clippers are gonna give him the max, which is something they don’t wanna do because they didn’t give it to Kawhi.”

The Clippers signed Kawhi Leonard, PG's co-star, to a three-year, $149.7 million extension, just a little below the max, back in January. Four months later, George remains unsigned, and the Sixers and Magic are licking their chops for a chance to bid on him.

George turns 34 this week, and averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists for the Clippers this season while shooting 41.3% from three-point land.