Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George, an unrestricted free agent, will not be back following a meeting between the sides on Sunday night, and it was the team that said as much.
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George is expected to land with the Philadelphia 76ers, though there may be a few others in play. George reportedly was set to meet with the Clippers, Sixers and Orlando Magic to start free agency.
The Sixers are "growingly optimistic" that they'll be able to land George, per Marc Stein of The Stein Line.
One of the top players in the NBA, George averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.5 blocks for the Clippers in 2023-24 while shooting 47.1% from the field, 41.3% from beyond the arc and 90.7% from the free-throw line.
Clippers’ statement on Paul George parting ways following a significant gap in contract talks, exploring an opt-in and trade scenario and excitement about new opportunities and greater flexibility under new CBA to field a “highly competitive team” moving forward: pic.twitter.com/Uajbail3Hk
— Ohm Youngmisuk (@NotoriousOHM) July 1, 2024
The Clippers lost to the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the 2024 playoffs in six games, while the Warriors missed the postseason. The franchise has never reached the NBA Finals, dating back to their days as the Buffalo Braves.
One of the top players in the NBA, George averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.5 blocks for the Clippers in 2023-24, shooting 47.1% from the field, 41.3% on 3-pointers and 90.7% from the free-throw line.
George and Kawhi Leonard joined the Clippers in the summer of 2019.
The Clippers lost to the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the 2024 playoffs in six games, the Magic lost to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round in seven games and the Sixers lost to the New York Knicks in the first round in six games.
George has career averages of 20.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.7 steals and 0.4 blocks with the Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder and Clippers.
George has made nine All-Star teams, six All-NBA teams and four All-Defensive teams.
The Clippers acquired George from the Oklahoma City Thunder. They reached the Western Conference Finals in 2021, losing to the Phoenix Suns in six games.
(File photo/AP)
(This article was originally posted on Hoops Wire and reprinted with permission.)
