Report: Paul George Likely To Pick Up Player Option, Request Trade From Clippers If Changing Teams

According to NBA insider Brian Windhorst of ESPN, Paul George will likely pick up his 2024-25 player option and request a trade from the Los Angeles Clippers if he wants to change teams. 

The Clippers haven’t offered George the money he wants in an extension. 

Windy on Paul George on Get Up a few minutes ago: pic.twitter.com/C2zd3i9PvB

— Austin Krell (@NBAKrell) June 21, 2024

George averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists for the Clippers this season while shooting 47.1% from the field, 41.3% from beyond the arc and 90.7% from the free-throw line. LAC has until June 30 to sign George to an extension.

The Clippers lost to the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the 2024 playoffs. 

George and Kawhi Leonard joined the Clippers in the offseason of 2019. LAC hasn’t been to the NBA Finals in franchise history. 

George has career averages of 20.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists with the Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder and Clippers. He was born and raised in Palmdale, California.

According to NBA insiders Sam Amick and Law Murray of The Athletic, the Clippers discussed George trade scenarios at the February trade deadline.

“Only George knows how he truly sees his situation, but it’s worth remembering that the Clippers are known to have shown a willingness to discuss him in a select few trade scenarios heading into the February deadline,” Amick and Murray wrote. “The internal calculus was different back then, of course, with the absence of a new deal with George leaving the Clippers concerned that they might ultimately lose him for nothing in return in free agency.”

According to NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, the Philadelphia 76ers’ interest in George has “significantly waned.” The Sixers were once heavily linked to George. 

It doesn’t appear the New York Knicks are in on George either. According to NBA insider Fred Katz of The Athletic, the Knicks have “never seriously pursued” George.