This summer, as Los Angeles Clippers’ Paul George looks back on his NBA career, he has a lot to think about, especially the experiences of the past that influenced his present mindset. On his podcast ‘Podcast P with Paul George‘, the 9X NBA All-Star opened up about experiencing a betrayal during his time with the Indiana Pacers. George recalled a meeting with Pacers’ General Manager Kevin Pritchard, where he assured he wouldn’t be traded. Later, the player discovered that the team had been shopping him behind his back.

When the news was broken to PG by his agent, he was shocked.“I’m like really? We just sat down on this subject and the same person was at the head of it. I don’t wanna throw no shade or nothing but that was when I understood the business part of it. At the end of the day, they (the team) gon’ do what’s best for them. That’s kinda where my mindset shifted,“ said George. Even though PG doesn’t hold any grudges, this event had a major impact on him.

“Anybody can go out any moment but you never expect it to be you. Whatever’s gonna make the team better, that’s what the agenda is. I kinda found peace with that.” To make matters worse, Pacers’ President Larry Bird denied all trade rumors months before PG’s exit. Naturally, one can understand why the player feels betrayed. PG will be diving straight into free agency if he doesn’t sign an extension with LA by the month’s end. Will his ex-team’s betrayal play a role in his upcoming decisions?

With a player option approaching, George must make a crucial decision. He can choose to remain with the Clippers where would earn close to $50 million the next season, re-sign with them for a multi-year contract, or he could enter the free agency market. Many believe that if he decides to pursue free agency, he will sign with the Philadelphia 76ers, a possibility that ESPN analyst Jay Williams has backed.

According to The Ringer, the Clippers “haven’t offered George a dollar more than what they paid [Kawhi] Leonard: three years, $152.4 million.“ On the other hand, sources have suggested that Sixers’ President Daryl Morey would be willing to offer PG $212 million over 4 years. LA is reportedly “determined” to retain George, but they might not be able to afford it. LA might lose its star player if it cannot meet his demands.

Is Philadelphia a better option for Paul George to win a title?

ESPN analyst Jay Williams feels this: “If I were Paul George, I would go somewhere else. If I were Paul George, I would be looking at that Philadelphia situation literally playing alongside Joel Embiid. The reason why is, a lot of money in Philly. Also, I love Kawhi, but if you’re not available, what position does that put me in if I want to win championships? PG came to play with Kawhi, but Kawhi can’t be there. At the end of the day, what Embiid showed me is that he’s willing to play through the injuries. It was a different level for Joel Embiid this season in the postseason. We saw him playing through a lot of different things. If I’m Paul George, I’m going to play with that.”

The Clippers have qualified for the playoffs four times in the last five seasons since Leonard and George joined LA, but they have encountered many obstacles, primarily because of Leonard’s injuries. In the meantime, Joel Embiid and the Sixers have also had difficulty winning in the postseason. In addition to struggling with Embiid’s ailments, they have not advanced past the second round. However, unlike Kawhi, Embiid has managed to stay on-court.

Kawhi has missed 15 postseason games with the Clippers since 2021. Leonard appeared in just two of the six games during last season’s first-round series against the Dallas Mavericks. Compared to that, Embiid has played in 36 of the Sixers’ 41 playoff games, averaging 27 points, ten rebounds, three assists, and two blocks. Even with his string of injuries, Embiid has managed to stay consistent, something that can’t be said about Kawhi.

PG’s future remains uncertain but he has options. The Sixers could make for a great matchup; they are home to 2 All-Stars; Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. Unlike the Clippers, they have the cap space to make a desirable offer for the player. Whether he decides to extend with LA or move to Philadelphia is unclear for now, but fans should have an answer by the month’s end.