Clippers Could Leave Paul George Stranded on $221 Million Decision After 76ers Back Out of Trade Rumors

Heading into free agency, Paul George has held much leverage over the Clippers because of the peaking interest from suitors like the Sixers and Magic. With a pending decision on his $48.8 million player option, PG can sign a $221 million max deal with his current team.

But the Clippers seem reluctant to offer the aging superstar more than they did to Kawhi Leonard, a three-year $149.7 million deal. Moreover, PG has suffered a huge setback from the Sixers in his pursuit of a max deal, which could also result in him getting left in the dust by the Clippers.

As per the latest report by NBA Insider Shams Charania, Daryl Morey’s interest in signing PG has “significantly waned”. With that, there is a high chance that the Sixers might now use their massive cap space to pursue other assets in the market instead of George.

Not only has this update put an end to the Joel Embiid-Paul George union rumors, but it might have also taken away whatever leverage PG had in the trade market, mainly because the Sixers could have offered him $212 million.

Meanwhile, ESPN’s Tim Bontemps addressed PG’s chances of getting a max offer from the Clippers on last night’s episode of The Hoop Collective. While the Clippers are reportedly ready to offer PG a three-year deal, Bontemps believes they will only give him his desired four-year deal if they believe their roster is good enough to win a championship.

“If he doesn’t get a max, it’s because Clippers don’t believe it’s worth it to go into the second apron to keep him,” Tim said. But what could be the repercussions of offering PG his desired number?

Keeping Paul George could cost the Clippers a lot

Although PG is one of the best two-way players in the league who averaged 22.6 points this season, the Clippers might not prefer spending so much on him because that will put them in the second apron of luxury tax. As per the new CBA, going over the second apron has its restrictions. “Once you go over that second apron, you can’t sign anybody for more than the minimum who’s on another team,” Bontemps said.

On top of that, it also restricts teams from aggregating players to trade for another player, as the new CBA allows only one-on-one trades for the teams in the second apron. So, only those teams who believe they already have a Championship caliber team and don’t require much tweaking will risk going over this apron, maybe someone like the Celtics or the Nuggets.

With PG and Kawhi failing to get past the second round since they have become teammates, except once when they lost in the Conference Finals three years ago, it does not look like the Clippers’ current roster can win a title. Moreover, the Clippers reportedly paid $142.4 million in luxury tax this year, which does not give them much room to operate, anyway.

Keeping PG will not only stagnate their chance of making any upgrades to the team, but will also put them in the second apron for multiple years. So the Clippers might consider parting ways with PG rather than offering him a max contract.

Before you go, do not forget to check out what Shaquille O’Neal’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about Caitlin Clark’s meteoric rise to stardom.