Rumors: Philadelphia 76ers hope Paul George rejects contract extension with Los Angeles Clippers to sign him in free agency

Although they managed to sign last January the renewal of their main star, Kawhi Leonard, for the next three years, until the end of the 2026/27 NBA season, the Los Angeles Clippers have been working since then, so far unsuccessfully, on the extension of their other star, Paul George.

George's contract expires at the end of the current season. Although he has a $48.7 million player option, the fact that he is negotiating a contract extension with the Clippers suggests that the 33-year-old is not interested in the player option. It makes sense for him to seek what will most likely be the last multi-year contract of his career by earning a large amount of money.

This situation is being closely followed by one team in particular, which is eagerly waiting for the negotiations between Paul George and the Los Angeles Clippers to break down, and therefore the player to jump into the NBA's 2024 Free Agency in search of that desired multi-year contract. According to Marc Stein, a reputed insider, from NBA Rumors, that team is the Philadelphia 76ers.

"The Sixers loom as an eager suitor for George should he hit the open market (free agency) this summer," Stein said. Philadelphia's position here is advantageous, as as soon as the transfer window opens it will have enough salary-cap space to afford the hypothetical contract it would agree to with Paul George.

Right now, the Sixers only have Joel Embiid and Paul Reed under contract for next season, the latter of whom is non-guaranteed. Tyrese Maxey will be extended a qualifying offer to become a restricted free agent, and then re-signed. So Philadelphia 76ers is a strong candidate to sign any star free agent this summer.