The Los Angeles Clippers have a major Paul George dilemma in their hands this summer. LA is in danger of losing the nine-time All-Star in NBA free agency with George having a player option on his contract for the upcoming season.
That is, unless the Clippers are able to negotiate a contract extension with their superstar forward, George could very well walk away and leave LA with absolutely nothing.
Los Angeles Clippers Planning for Life After Paul George
![Los Angeles Clippers Could Replace Paul George With Six-Time All-Star via NBA Free Agency 1 Los Angeles Clippers, Paul George](https://www.hardwoodheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/USATSI_23082906_168400517_lowres.jpg)
The top priority for the Clippers is to retain George’s services. In this respect, they will need to fend off suitors in free agency, with the Philadelphia 76ers emerging as a serious threat.
LA will need to consider all possibilities, including losing George in free agency. As such, they will need to come up with a contingency plan. According to NBA insider Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, this plan could involve Chicago Bulls swingman DeMar DeRozan:
“There’s a belief around the league that DeRozan will ultimately re-sign with the Bulls, given the team’s continued desire to compete, his role, and Chicago’s willingness to pay him.
“However, one team worth monitoring as a potential suitor for DeRozan via sign-and-trade is the Los Angeles Clippers, should the franchise fail to re-sign Paul Georgein free agency, HoopsHype has learned,” Scotto wrote.
![Los Angeles Clippers Could Replace Paul George With Six-Time All-Star via NBA Free Agency 2 Chicago Bulls, DeMar DeRozan](https://www.hardwoodheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/USATSI_22766679-scaled.jpg)
For the Clippers, DeRozan should be a cheaper option than George. LA reportedly wants to re-sign PG on a contract that is within the range of Kawhi Leonard’s three-year, $153 million extension. If this does not meet George’s self-valuation, then a big chunk of this budget will likely be headed in DeRozan’s direction.
That is, of course, under the premise that the Compton native is willing to leave Chicago for a potential LA homecoming.
![Los Angeles Clippers Could Replace Paul George With Six-Time All-Star via NBA Free Agency 3 Chicago Bulls, DeMar DeRozan](https://www.hardwoodheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/USATSI_23051783_168400517_lowres-1.jpg)
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