Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George declined his $48.7 million player option to hit free agency.
George’s decision to enter free agency, which officially opens Sunday at 3 p.m. PDT, makes whatever path was potentially available to the Golden State Warriors acquiring him substantially thinner. There were rumors linking George and the Warriors, and if he opted into his 2024-25 salary, Golden State could have put together a trade package that matched his salary and then later offer him a four-year maximum extension.
George becoming a free agent eliminates that hypothetical.
A nine-time All-Star, George will be likely be the most sought after free agent available. Contending teams with cap space expected to show interest in George include the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic. A reunion with the incumbent Clippers will also remain possible.
Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. has said that it would take “a lot” for the team to use one of their coveted young players — Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, Trayce Jackson-Davis and Brandin Podziemski — in a trade. The Clippers likely would’ve asked for at least one from that group in a possible George trade offer.
“It would just have to be something that we felt unequivocally changed the direction of our franchise,” Dunleavy said. “We like those guys and think they’re going to be really, really good, but it would have to be something that makes us a lot better than that.”
Even though he’s 34 years old with an injury history, George could have qualified under that description.
The Warriors’ order of operation for the offseason now turns to Chris Paul, whose contract guarantee deadline date is Sunday and Klay Thompson’s impending free agency.