With the NBA draft just one day away, the next best thing during the NBA season is free agency. One of the top free agents this summer is Paul George, with a player option for $48.8 million. He has until June 29th to decide on the player option. If he declines, he will become an unrestricted free agent. The Los Angeles Clippers have tried to re-sign him by offering him contracts, but he has declined them all.
It seems like a split is growing more and more likely between Paul George and the Clippers. According to Marc Stein, there is a new report that George might consider opting into the player option to force a trade. The question becomes is this a good move or bad move for George?
There is a growing feeling leaguewide that the 34-year-old picking up his $48.8 player option for next season to force the Clippers to trade him is an increasingly realistic scenario after months of fruitless contract extension negotiations between the parties. I’m pretty sure that the Warriors are as interested in George as the Knicks-maybe more. Can Golden State assemble the likely multi-team trade that would be needed to win the PG-13 Sweepstakes? Stay Tuned.
Should Paul George Opt Into Contract and Force a Trade?
Why George Should Opt In
There are a couple of reasons why George is considering opting into his player option. The first is, that it allows him to potentially go to teams he wants to play for that couldn’t sign him in free agency. The Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, and others should show interest in Paul George. However, with their cap constraints could only do it via a trade. Furthermore, if George has a desire to play for those teams he would need to opt into the player option to force a trade.
Another reason is, that it allows the Clippers to not lose Paul George for nothing. Similar to how George did it with the Oklahoma City Thunder by allowing them to get something in return for his services. George who grew up in California knows what the Clippers had to give up to get him and wants it to work out, and that it hasn’t. This could help them by allowing them to get something in return for George instead of just losing him for nothing.
Finally by opting in, if he does want to return to the Clippers it allows him to try again one more year to see if the results are different. Have one year to go all out again with this team before potentially walking next year in free agency. Instead of committing multiple years with the Clippers.
Why Geoge Should Opt Out
If Paul George goes the other route, by opting out to become a unrestricted free agent. It allows him to pick the next team he wants to play for instead of the Clippers trading him to a different team. To go along with that, instead of playing on a one-year deal, he will be able to lock up a longer-term contract for security. If he gets hurt. This is probably going to be his last chance at getting a long-term contract. Doing it now opposed to waiting another year when he is 35, might be the best option for him. This route also allows him to talk with other teams to hear their pitch to him and see how he will be able to fit on a specific team.
It will be very interesting what Paul George decides to do with the player option and where he will play next season. A lot of teams are going to be interested in his services. Other free agents are going to watch the situation very closely. Whatever George decides to do and what team he plays for next, it will have a huge domino effect on the offseason.
