Paul George Rumors: 76ers ‘Loom’ as ‘Eager’ Suitor amid Clippers Contract Talks

Jack MurrayMarch 20, 2024

Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images

The Philadelphia 76ers are reportedly keeping tabs on Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George.

NBA insider Marc Stein reported that the 76ers “continue to loom as an eager George suitor” in anticipation that the nine-time All-Star will hit free agency this offseason.

“League sources say that Philadelphia continues to loom as an eager George suitor should he make it onto the open market and give the 76ers their formal opportunity to try to lure him across the country,” Stein wrote. “The Sixers are said to maintain interest in George despite the widely held presumption that he and Leonard want to keep playing together in their native Southern California.”

George has a player option for the 2024-25 season but could decline it and become an unrestricted free agent this Summer. Even if he does, Stein added that “the leaguewide expectation persists that Paul George and the LA Clippers will come to terms on a contract extension.”

George is averaging 22.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 61 games for the Clippers in 2023-24. He has helped lead Los Angeles to a 42-25 record as the franchise currently sits in fourth place in the Western Conference.

He is eligible for a max contract extension with the Clippers, but it may not be something the franchise has offered. John Hollinger of The Athletic reported that the team is “deep in the tax” and may only be able to extend two out of its star trio of James Harden, Kawhi Leonard and George. Leonard, notably, secured his extension in January.

“Presumably, if there was a max extension sitting around for him, he would have signed it by now,” Hollinger wrote.

If he were to test free agency, the 76ers would be an intriguing option. The franchise only has two players, Joel Embiid and Paul Reed, who are under contract for 2024-25, per Spotrac, though Tyrese Maxey is effectively a lock to get extended.

The 76ers have been a contender in the conference for the past several seasons, although it has been struggling to get over the hump in the postseason. While Philadelphia has qualified in six consecutive seasons, the franchise has not advanced past the second round since 2001.

George could help in that regard, as he still is competing at a high level and has thus far played in 108 postseason games.

If George does hit unrestricted free agency this offseason, the 76ers will be a primary suitor to monitor.