The Los Angeles Clippers confirmed on Sunday that Paul George, a key figure in their lineup for the past five seasons, will depart the team in free agency.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, George, aged 34, sought a four-year contract but was unable to secure an offer longer than three seasons from the Clippers. The Philadelphia 76ers are reportedly leading the race to sign him, with the Orlando Magic also expressing interest.
“We negotiated for months with Paul and his representative on a contract that would make sense for both sides, and we were left far apart,” the Clippers stated. “The gap was significant. We understand and respect Paul’s decision to look elsewhere for his next contract.”
The Clippers explored alternative options, including an opt-in-and-trade scenario, but ultimately couldn’t find a viable solution under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
George joined the Clippers in a high-profile trade alongside Kawhi Leonard in 2019. Despite their combined star power, the duo fell short of reaching the NBA Finals together, achieving just one appearance in the Western Conference finals.
Last season, George averaged 22.6 points on 47.1% shooting, along with 5.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. During his tenure with the Clippers, he earned three All-Star selections, adding to the six he accumulated during stints with the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder.
“We will miss Paul,” the Clippers acknowledged. “At the same time, we’re optimistic about the opportunities ahead, including greater flexibility under the new CBA. Kawhi is an all-NBA player, and we believe Coach Tyronn Lue is among the best in the league. We remain committed to fielding a highly competitive team and attracting top talent to Intuit Dome.”
