Report: ‘Growing Whispers’ Paul George May Be Interested In Leaving Clippers For Pacers

February 12, 2024

According to NBA insider Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, there are “growing whispers” that Paul George may be interested in leaving the Los Angeles Clippers to play for the Indiana Pacers this offseason.

George can become an unrestricted free agent this summer if he declines his 2024-25 player option with the Clippers. If the Clippers don’t sign George to an extension, many NBA insiders expect the swingman to enter free agency and the Pacers and Philadelphia 76ers could throw him a large offer.

“The Sixers have loftier goals as well, just like New York,” Fischer wrote. “As the weeks have passed since Kawhi Leonard’s extension in Los Angeles, where the Clippers’ All-Star told reporters he was of the mind Paul George’s next deal was coming next — before Harden’s this offseason — there have been growing whispers not only of Philadelphia’s eye toward George, but also George’s own intrigue by returning to Indiana and becoming the latest running mate for Tyrese Haliburton alongside Siakam.”

George began his career with the Pacers in 2010. He averaged 18.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.7 steals and 0.4 blocks in 448 games with Indiana.

In the offseason of 2017, George requested a trade from the Pacers and was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The nine-time All-Star spent two seasons with the Thunder before getting traded to the Clippers in the summer of 2019 after OKC lost in the first round of the 2019 playoffs to the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Clippers signed Kawhi Leonard to a three-year, $149 million extension on January 10. The prevailing thought around the NBA was that LAC would sign George to an extension right after locking up Leonard.

However, a deal between the Clippers and George hasn’t been reached yet, which has surprised many people in league circles.

George is averaging 22.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.4 blocks this season while shooting 46.0% from the field, 40.0% from beyond the arc and 90.9% from the free-throw line. He’s making $45.6 million.