After much speculation, the split between Paul George and the Los Angeles Clippers became official on Sunday night, when the Clippers announced the news.
The team revealed that George intends to sign with another team, bringing an end to his five-year stint with the Clippers. Despite not achieving their goal of winning a championship, the Clippers expressed their appreciation for George’s contributions during his time with the team.
“Paul has informed us that he is signing his next contract with another team. Paul is a tremendous talent and an elite two-way player. We feel fortunate for the five years we spent with him. Over that span, he went to three All Star Games, made the most 3-pointers in franchise history, and helped lead the team to a place it had never been. His performances in Games 5 and 6 against Utah in 2021 won’t be forgotten by anyone associated with the Clippers,” the announcement read.
Before this outcome, Aaron Mintz, George’s agent, spoke with Clippers president Lawrence Frank on Sunday night. However, no progress was made on a contract extension.
The Clippers had traded multiple assets, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, five first-round picks, and two pick swaps, to acquire George. George justified their investment by averaging 23.1 points per game during his time with the Clippers.
Philadelphia 76ers in Prime Position to Land Paul George
Paul George is eligible to sign a four-year, $212 million contract with any team with the necessary cap space. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski previously reported that George planned to meet with the Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Orlando Magic during free agency to discuss potential deals.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NBA stories via Google! Follow Us
Meanwhile, George informed the Clippers of his decision to join a new team, so they are no longer in contention.
Following this development, the 76ers have emerged as the frontrunners to land George in free agency. Wojnarowski’s recent report highlights that the 76ers have the cap room and the space needed to welcome George to their team.
Now, the 76ers have the opportunity to bolster their roster with George’s veteran experience and skills. The former Clippers star averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game last season. He also achieved career highs by shooting 47.1% from the field and 41.3% from the three-point range.
