On June 30, Beijing time, after reaching an impasse in contract extension negotiations with the Clippers, George refused to exercise the $48.79 million player option for next season and became a complete free agent. George plans to meet with the Clippers and teams with plenty of salary space, while the 76ers and Warriors are both suitors. The U.S. media posted that George had stated that he wanted to stay in the team for three of his careers, and he was also ridiculed by public opinion as "a copy of Lu Bu by a family slave with three surnames".
When the Clippers were beaten 2-4 by the Mavericks in the first round of this year's playoffs, Leonard's inability to play due to injury became an important factor. It's just that the 34-year-old George is not doing well, he is seeking a four-year, $212 million maximum salary, but the Clippers offered George a three-year $149 million, down from the three-year $152 million contract extension with Kawhi Leonard in January this year.
George could sign a four-year, $212 million max extension, but apparently the Clippers won't give him that contract. George is now testing the free agent market, and unless other teams sign and trade with the Clippers, the offer will be $9 million less than the Clippers' maximum salary cap.
Now the American media BricksCenter posted that George's playing career, when he played for the Pacers, Thunder and Clippers, he expressed his desire to stay with the team three times, but he was slapped in the face by his own behavior.
"Our goal is to win a championship here, and I'm not going to leave Indiana." George said so before asking for a trade and eventually leaving the Pacers.
"I'm going to stay here [the Okladark Horse] and we can bring home the championship." George said at the time of the Thunder's contract extension, but his combination with Willow and Anthony was out of the game in one round.
"My heart is here, and I want to retire here [in Los Angeles]." George made a statement when he played for the Clippers, but now he has refused to exercise his final year player option and has jumped out of his contract to become a free agent.
George averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.5 steals per game during the regular season last season. Heading into the playoffs, George slipped to 19.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.2 steals per game.