NBA Rumors: Exploring the three biggest threats to sign Paul George away from the LA Clippers this offseason.
Heading into the offseason, Paul George could very well be the biggest name that genuinely tests the free agency market. While the overwhelming expectation is that he will eventually re-sign with the LA Clippers, it is a bit eye-opening that it hasn't happened yet. And there are recent rumblings that suggest PG could be at least open to the possibility of signing with another team in free agency this summer.
Objectively speaking, there are some signs that point to PG testing the free agency as the smart move for him this offseason.
Why Paul George may be ready for a change of scenery in the NBA
When Paul George originally was acquired by the LA Clippers roughly five years ago, the hope was that he would be competing for titles alongside Kawhi Leonard. For a myriad of reasons, that hasn't exactly happened throughout their tenure together. The Clippers have made one conference finals over the last five years but a Kawhi injury completely ended their NBA Finals hopes that season.
Since then, it's been slim pickings for the Clippers, with just one playoff appearance in each of the last two seasons. All in all, it's hard to label PG's tenure with the Clippers as a success. That could open the door to the possibility of change. If PG isn't sold on LA's future and they're subjected to another early playoff loss this season, perhaps he could view this summer as his last chance to handpick a genuine chance to win a title before the end of his career.
If PG has any hesitations about signing long-term with the Clippers this offseason, three teams could possibly change his mind and pry him away in free agency.
Indiana Pacers
After a hot first half of the season from the Indiana Pacers, they've certainly tailed off of late. However, as the team heads into the offseason, they're expected to be increasingly aggressive as they search for more All-Star-level pieces to place next to Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam. On paper, pursuing Paul George does make sense for the Pacers. He'd be a natural fit next to Haliburton and Siakam and a bit of a homecoming would be quite the story as well.
The Pacers are a young rising team that would very much benefit from a veteran All-Star player. As the Pacers continue to emerge in the Eastern Conference, the addition of PG could be viewed as a huge step forward for the team heading into next season. As they've struggled a bit down the stretch, it's become clear that they are one splash addition away from perhaps emerging as a real championship threat in the East.
If PG is ready for a different type of challenge at this point in his career, signing with a team like the Pacers could make sense. That said, because the Pacers are still an unproven team, this is also the type of move that would certainly come with its risks.
Philadelphia 76ers
If there's one team in the league that would make the most sense for Paul George, it's probably the Philadelphia 76ers. With Joel Embiid in the prime of his career and Tyrese Maxey as one of the brightest young offensive guards in the league, the Sixers are the landing spot that would make sense schematically for PG and also the soft spot that might give him the best chance to win an NBA Championship over the next few years.
Considering the Sixers are going to have the cap space to sign PG outright in free agency, the LA Clippers should view them as a real threat heading into the offseason. If PG does end up taking some free-agency meetings, the Sixers are likely going to be atop his list of potential landing spots. Add in the fact that the Sixers have already been linked to PG, and the noise surrounding this possibility is certainly real.
If a trio of Maxey, PG, and Embiid can't compete for a title in the Eastern Conference, I'm not sure what other collection of players will be able to for the Sixers.
New York Knicks
Heading into the offseason, the New York Knicks are going to be a real threat to land any big name that ends up hitting the open market, whether that is via trade or free agency. The big question is whether the Knicks feel as if Paul George would be a good fit alongside OG Anunoby in the frontcourt. Playing somewhat the same position, that could be a fair debate. However, talent always tends to be worth the gamble in the NBA.
If PG is interested in playing for the Knicks and possibly being a final piece of their championship puzzle, New York has the pieces and assets to make it happen. And if PG is indeed ready to make a splash as he approaches the twilight of his career, signing with the Knicks this offseason would certainly be categorized as just that.
To say the least, Paul George is expected to have plenty of options this offseason. The big question is, will PG explore any of those non-LA options? That could be one of the driving storylines this summer in the NBA.