Paul George went to remain suspicious
With the NBA's first two-day draft wrapping up on Thursday night and free agent market about to open on Sunday, Paul George will be heading into the next phase of this offseason to make his own choices. There has been a lot of speculation about George's whereabouts, the most notable of which is his move to the Golden State Warriors.
George is about to decide whether or not to exercise the player option
George, 34, has until Saturday to decide whether to exercise his $48.7 million player option for next season. According to coalition sources, his team has yet to make a clear statement. If George decides to leave, whether it's choosing to jump out of the contract and enter free agency, or opting to execute the contract and ask for a trade to go where he wants, that decision will have a significant impact. And the most attractive of those possibilities seems to be his move to the Golden State Warriors.
The combination of George and Curry is exciting
According to league sources, the Warriors are interested in having George as part of the new core, alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. The move is the same move we saw in mid-February as Warriors owner Joe Lacob tried to bring in LeBron James before the trade deadline. As long as Curry is still in peak form, the Warriors will have a desire to compete for a championship. With all indications that Miami's Jimmy Butler will stay with the Heat, George appears to be the only possible star player.
Ballmer remained tough in the negotiations
For all teams interested in George, know that he wants to get a contract every year and every dollar through the league's collective bargaining agreement. The Clippers had hoped George would accept a contract similar to Leonard's ($153 million over three years), but they wanted to get out of the league's "second-tier" luxury tax zone by the 2025-26 season, so they have been tough in their negotiations with George.
Are the Warriors willing to give potential new stars?
But are the Warriors willing to give it their all for a player who will be nearly 40 years old by the end of his contract, and what else do they need to pay to get such a deal done? For the Warriors and other teams, it depends on how the situation develops.
The Nuggets are willing to send Porter Jr. in a trade
According to league sources, the Denver Nuggets do have a strong interest in joining George through a possible contract extension deal lately (if he chooses to go that route). But in addition to giving George the biggest contract he craves, they would need to give up Michael Porter Jr., Zike Nagy and a ton of draft picks. The Nuggets put a lot of emphasis on draft picks, so their interest stops there. But this situation is instructive for teams like the Warriors, who will certainly want to bring in George without giving up other assets (in addition to matching wages).
The Warriors' handling of Paul's contract will affect the outcome of the trade
Chris Paul's unusual contract situation is an important and ephemeral part of the puzzle. Paul's $30 million contract with the Warriors next season is not guaranteed. The contract will be guaranteed on Friday (24 hours before George's deadline).
Lacob is inclined to waive Paul's contract
The Warriors put themselves on the second-tier ceiling in a cash-for-draft pick trade on Thursday. Holding boss Joe Lacob has expressed a desire to replace costs financially this summer. Releasing Paul before Friday's deadline will take the $30 million off his books.
Paul talks to the Warriors about a win-win strategy
But Paul's contract could be what the Warriors need to match wages in a George trade (or a possible other market deal). The timing chosen makes the issue even more pressing as the weekend approaches, although league sources note that Paul and the Warriors have discussed extending the guarantee period. That would give the Warriors more time to look for trade options and also give Paul more chances to get $30 million instead of the amount he received as a free agent.
The 76ers and Magic are also interested in George
If George jumps out of his contract, Philadelphia and Orlando are widely considered the most reasonable suitors. The Athletic's Shams Charania reported last week that the 76ers' interest in George had waned, although a league source close to the situation cautioned against ruling out that possibility entirely. The Clippers are also dealing with Harden's free agent market, so they have reason to be optimistic on this point.
George with his wife
George is known to enjoy living with his family in Los Angeles, close to his hometown of Palmdale. In addition, his relationship with the Clippers, even under contract disagreements, is considered very respectful and positive. The question now is what factors George will ultimately prioritize for the Clippers, Warriors and all the teams that want to see him in their jerseys.
George's final choice could have an impact on the league landscape
George's decision will not only affect his personal future, but will also have a profound impact on the overall landscape of the NBA. Whether he chooses to stay with the Clippers or join the Warriors or even another team, his whereabouts will be one of the biggest focuses this offseason. Whether the Warriors can bring in George on the basis of retaining the existing core roster and thus challenge for the championship again will be the focus of attention of all basketball fans in the next few days.