The Paul George puzzle has yet to be solved.
The Clippers, according to ESPN, “very much” want to keep the nine-time All-Star, but uncertainty looms over the organization.
Saturday’s deadline is steadily approaching for George to decide on his $48.8 million player option.
He is seeking a four-year contract extension at his $221 million max, per ESPN, but the Clippers haven’t budged on an agreement for months.
Despite the ambiguity, the Clippers are clinging to the hope that George, 34, will want to remain near his hometown, Palmdale, where his family resides.
After the Clippers drafted Cam Christie with the 46th pick in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft, Lawrence Frank — the Clippers president of basketball operations — took the opportunity to give George a shoutout.
“He’s been awesome. He’s been an All-Star. He’s one of the best two-way players in the league,” Frank told reporters.
“He’s a terrific person. He’s got great family, so we hope he’s here but also respect the fact that if he chooses to opt out, that’s his choice. He’s earned it and we’ll see how things play out.”
If there’s no extension prior to the deadline, George has the option to become a free agent or opt into his deal.
Even if he does decide to opt into the final year of his deal, he could attempt to negotiate a trade from the Clippers to another team.
In January, the Clippers retained one of their go-to guys, Kawhi Leonard, with a three-year $150-million extension.
Now they are weighing how to keep George around and James Harden — also a free agent — to complete their “Big 3.”
The organization has engaged in talks with Harden alongside his agents, Mike Silverman and Troy Payne.
“We think James has been terrific for us,” Frank said.
“We hope he’s had a great experience while he has been here and we hope he decides to continue to be here. … We very much want James to remain a Clipper and hope he decides to do the same.”
