NBA fans, who are missing the action on the court, don’t need to be too disheartened. With the conclusion of the 2024 Draft, the fans will have two nights of sound sleep before the free agency chaos begins on Sunday. And Paul George fans should hold tight because a bumpy ride awaits.
George’s contract situation with the Clippers is still on a seesaw and the fun only increases after Sunday. Why is that? Let’s know it from the NBA insider Brian Windhorst himself. On the latest episode of ESPN’s “Get Up”, Windy had some fresh scoops for the fans. According to the insider, Paul George is controlling the NBA future of at least three other stars because of the options open to him.
“One, he can resign with the Clippers as early as today if he wants to. He can opt into his contract for next year, about $48 million. (Two) Doing so almost certainly would mean he has a team he wants to be traded to where he would later sign an extension. Or three, he could become an unrestricted free agent on Sunday,” Windhorst said.
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Windy further explained the situation with Chris Paul and Klay Thompson. His intel says Paul has a player option deadline today and Mike Dudley has asked him to extend the deadline. “Because Chris Paul could potentially be used in a trade for Paul George if he decides, he’d like to opt in and force a trade for the Warriors,” Windhorst revealed.
Klay Thompson’s future with the Warriors also looks in dire straits. According to Windhorst, Thompson intends to stay with the Warriors and wants to know about the new contract. However, because of the Paul George situation, he will have to sit back and wait. One-half of the Splash brothers may have multiple suitors, but he is not looking to switch teams.
Another player dependent on George is James Harden. The Beard will also become a free agent on Sunday, but his decision still depends on the 9-time NBA All-Star.
How Does Paul George Influence James Harden’s Free Agency Decision?
Explaining the domino effect of Paul George’s free agency move, Windhorst talked about James Harden. “He (Harden) is a free agent on Sunday as well with the Clippers. The Clippers’ direction this offseason very largely may determine whether Paul George stays there and resigns, or if he forces a trade, who he’s trying to force a trade to and for. That means that Harden will have to sort of wait and watch and see what Paul George does,” Windhorst detailed.
The former NBA MVP is gearing up for free agency after completing the final year of his 4-year, $171,131,520 contract. Following the trade from the Sixers last season, the Clippers’ expectations of Harden were high. With George, Kawhi Leonard, and Russell Westbrook, the star cast was expected to deliver more than their first-round exit.
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Recently, George, on Podcast P, talked about the Clippers’ losing their “glue” guys like Robert Covington and KJ Martin who held the team together. Those players were traded to Philly for Harden. That was indicative of what George thought of the trade. With all the strings firmly tangled around George’s fingers, free agency can start with a bang.
Stay tuned for more such updates, and to follow what brand maker, Leonard Armato, had to say about the deadly duo, Shaq and Kobe, check out this video
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