NBA free agency: Clippers announce Paul George is leaving for another team

It’s not clear yet where Paul George will play next season. But it is clear where he won’t.

The Los Angeles Clippers released a statement Sunday evening announcing George has informed them he will play for another team.

“Paul has informed us that he is signing his next contract with another NBA team,” the Clippers statement reads. “Paul is a tremendous talent and an elite two-way player. We feel fortunate for the five years we spent with him.”

The team cited a “significant” gap in negotiations for the failed talks with George.

“We negotiated for months with Paul and his representatives on a contract that would make sense for both sides, and we were left far apart. The gap was significant.

“We understand and respect Paul’s decision to look elsewhere for his next contract.”

The Clippers also noted that a trade scenario wouldn’t have made sense for the team.

“We explored an opt-in and trade scenario, but it would have left us in a similar position under the new CBA, with very little asset value to justify the restrictions,” the statement reads.

The Clippers made the announcement shortly after the open of NBA free agency negotiations Sunday evening.

Where will Paul George land?

An unrestricted free agent after opting out of his contract on Saturday, George has reportedly agreed to meetings with the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic. The Magic have reportedly since agreed to a deal with shooting guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in a potential sign that they may no longer be in the market for George. The 76ers are favorites to sign him, according to multiple reports.

George remains a high-level two-way player at 34 years old. He averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 47.1% from the field and a career-high 41.3% from 3 last season. He made his ninth career All-Star team and will be coveted on the open market by contenders with cap room seeking help on the wing.

Another Clippers era ends without a title

The development marks the end of an era in Los Angeles and a failed effort to build a championship team around George and Kawhi Leonard.

The Clippers traded to acquire…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/nba-free-agency-clippers-announce-paul-george-is-leaving-for-another-team-002944267.html

Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2024-07-01 00:29:44

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.