Tag: Paul George

Seven teams still remain in the hunt for the Larry O’Brien Trophy but for the other nine that have been eliminated from the NBA playoffs, attention has turned to the summer.

And for a few teams in particular, this offseason comes with big decisions to make with a free agency class that could be headlined by LeBron James and Paul George, among others.

With that in mind, foxsports.com.au breaks down a few of the more intriguing storylines to follow this summer.

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1. SIXERS EXPECTED TO TAKE A SWING

Sixers team president Daryl Morey was not subtle in his exit interview. In fact, not only did he make it clear this would be a “big” offseason but he also specifically said the team’s “biggest need” was a “wing who can play and deliver at a high level in the playoffs”.

Of course, that is the case for most teams in the league these days, especially ones who may be a 3-and-D wing away from making the leap to genuine contender status.

But Philadelphia is in a strong position to compete with any rival offers that may come for the kind of player Morey is describing, having decided to largely stand pat at this season’s trade deadline.

Outside of adding Buddy Hield, the Sixers decided against taking a big swing and now head into the summer with a projected $60 million in space and five first-round picks available to be traded.

That is why Morey is right in saying this is a “big” offseason in Philadelphia. Add in the fact the 76ers didn’t even make it out of the first round of the playoffs and the growing injury concerns with Joel Embiid, and the clock is well and truly ticking.

Now, Tyrese Maxey’s rapid rise to stardom helps the 76ers stay in the hunt both now and into the future, although he is one of the more notable Philadelphia players entering free agency.

Maxey will be a restricted free agent and is eligible for a max contract extension, which he no doubt will get, while Hield, Tobias Harris, Kyle Lowry, Kelly Oubre Jr., Nicolas Batum and Cameron Payne are unrestricted free agents.

Morey only guaranteed that coach Nick Nurse, Embiid, Maxey, Paul Reed and Ricky Council IV would be back next summer, declaring the team will “have continuity with our stars and our head coach but we’re going to have a lot of changes this season”.

“We’re focused on Joel and Tyrese and we’re focused on now,” he added.

“This offseason is a big one. I owe it to the fans, to ownership, to everybody, to get this team in a place where we’re competing for championships. We obviously didn’t achieve it this year.”

So, what does that mean for the team’s free agents and who Philadelphia could add either in free agency or via trade?

Well, Morey said both Lowry and Payne “really added to the team” while he referenced Oubre Jr. as the kind of around-the-margins addition that any title contender needs.

“I like having the challenge [of] finding the guys that are overlooked — the Kelly Oubres of the world,” he said.

Oubre Jr. certainly out-kicked his veteran’s minimum deal, averaging 15.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists, but will obviously come at more of a cost to keep next season.

As for Hield, Morey said the trade “didn’t quite work as well” as the team had hoped, seemingly signalling the swingman may be headed elsewhere, although the 76ers GM also took ownership on his end for Hield’s struggles and also pointed to the fact he didn’t play much with Embiid.

Either way, from Morey’s comments at his exit interview, it sounds like the 76ers are more interested in finding a third star to put next to Embiid and Maxey before figuring out the rest later.

The Athletic’s Shams Charania backed that up while speaking on FanDuelTV’s ‘Run It Back’ program, reporting the Sixers plan to go “big-game hunting” this summer.

Paul George is the one named that has been heavily linked to Philadelphia, with NBA insider Marc Stein reporting on the #thisleague UNCUT podcast that the 76ers are “seen as the foremost threat” to the Clippers keeping the nine-time All-Star.

“The Orlando Magic also have to be in that conversation, but it’s the 76ers who have the Clippers most concerned here, and I’m talking about long-term concerns,” he added.

Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer, meanwhile, even wrote in late March that the Sixers’ plan to sign George was “the NBA’s worst-kept secret.”

That is consistent with reporting from ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, who said on ‘Get Up’ that while Jimmy Butler and Brandon Ingram are potential trade targets, George is “the player at the top of their list”.

2. CHANGES COMING AT MIAMI?

Speaking of Butler, could he be on the move after Miami failed to back up its stunning run to the NBA Finals in the 2022-23 season?

There are at least some murmurs a seismic summer could be on the horizon for the Heat, which feasibly would include moving on from the Eastern Conference Finals MVP.

ESPN’s Zach Lowe said on a recent episode of his podcast to “not take your eyes off” Miami as attention instead turns to what Philadelphia and both Los Angeles teams could do this offseason.

“The Heat are always active and this is a pivot point for the Jimmy Butler era,” Lowe said.

“… It would not surprise me if there were some Jimmy Butler trade rumblings this offseason, if those extension talks don’t go well.”

The Ringer’s Howard Beck, meanwhile, added that “there has been speculation around the league that this relationship has run its course and this is the summer where they pivot”.

Meanwhile, The Athletic’s David Aldridge wrote in a recent column that there are “subtle signs” that the Butler era in Miami “could be nearing a tipping point”.

All of this external noise comes in the wake of a report from The Miami Herald which claims Butler wants a max two-year extension worth around $113 million from the Heat this offseason, despite already being contracted to the team next season with a $52.4 million player option for 2025-26.

The extension Butler is after would, according to the report, replace his 25-26 player option.

That means that, along with the $48.8 million salary Butler is guaranteed next season, he would be looking at a three-year, $161.7 million deal.

Committing to that would be committing to this version of the Heat being good enough to contend for a title over the next three years, with Bam Adebayo also eligible to sign an extension this offseason.

The Athletic’s front office insider John Hollinger wrote of Butler earlier in the month that “between his declining play this season and the constant absences, there are increasingly loud whispers that his future might not be in Miami”.

Team president Pat Riley didn’t exactly go out of his way to put an end to those whispers at his exit interview either when asked about the possibility of extending Butler.

“We don’t have to do that for a year. We have not discussed that internally right now, but we have to look at making that kind of commitment,” Riley told reporters.

Riley had plenty of good things to say about Butler, describing him as an “incredible player”, but he also placed plenty of emphasis on the fact he wasn’t available when Miami needed him most.

“That’s a big decision on our part to commit those kinds of resources unless you have somebody who’s going to be there and available every single night,” Riley added.

“That’s the truth.”

In terms of which teams could consider trading for Butler, the 76ers and Lakers jump out as leading contenders given both teams are expected to go star-chasing this summer.

3. PAUL GEORGE SET FOR FREE AGENCY

The Clippers are getting ready to move into a new arena next season. Will it also be out with the old and in with the new when it comes to the roster?

Well, Los Angeles is contractually locked in to the Kawhi Leonard experience after signing him to a three-year, $153 million contract extension earlier this year.

But Paul George and James Harden could both hit free agency this summer, with the former weighing up whether he exercises his $48.7 million player option for next season.

As for Harden, he is an unrestricted free agent.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski wrote the Clippers’ goal is to re-sign both and Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype reported Harden “ideally wants to re-sign”.

There hasn’t been too much more concrete reporting, however, as for whether there is much of a market for Harden, should he not come to an agreement with the Clippers.

As for George, however, there are already the links to the 76ers and the Magic while there is no doubting a few other teams may pop up as potential suitors depending how the rest of the playoffs shake out.

That gives George quite a bit of leverage and, in turn, leaves the Clippers with a big decision to make given re-signing both the 34-year-old and Harden will limit any further roster-building under the NBA’s new CBA, should they exceed the second apron.

Mindful of that reality, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported on FanDuelTV’s ‘Run It Back’ that the Clippers have “made multiple contract offers below the max”.

“They have not been able to reach a deal, so they’re going to keep trying. We’ll see if he tests free agency,” added Charania.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported on ‘Get Up’ last week that he suspects George is “likely headed for free agency” given the 76ers are a team who have the cap space to fit his max salary next year.

“I suspect, at the end of the day,” Windhorst added, “if the Clippers actually believe they would lose Paul George, if they don’t give him max, I think they pay up”.

4. BIG DECISIONS FOR THE LAKERS

All signs point towards the Lakers doing whatever it takes to have LeBron James back next season as he decides whether to take up his player option or hit free agency.

But what exactly does James want at this point of his career?

If it is winning another title, would that be in Los Angeles? Or, having already won a championship with the Lakers, does James look at the final years of his career differently?

Of course, winning is always going to be a driving force for the ultra-competitive James, but there is also the added complication of his desire to play with son Bronny James at some point.

James clarified in an interview last year with ESPN that it was more about sharing the floor with his son.

“Either in the same uniform or a matchup against him,” James said at the time.

Either way, it is a whole lot of question marks and not many answers or hints towards where James could be leaning and obviously for a player of his standing, he holds all the cards.

Understanding of that reality, it seems like the Lakers are all ears as to what James may want to exercise his player option for next season.

“The Lakers intend to have LeBron James come back on any term that he wants to,” McMenamin said on The Rich Eisen Show last week.

“Whether that be a one-year deal, two-year deal, three-year deal, whatever. They’d love to continue to have LeBron James in the purple and gold until he calls it quits, whenever that may be.”

There is less uncertainty around guard D’Angelo Russell, who is expected to opt out of his contract and enter NBA free agency.

Losing Russell would only further incentivise the Lakers to go shopping for a third star to pair alongside James and Anthony Davis, having fallen well short in their bid to contest for the title this season.

A comprehensive report from The Athletic earlier in the month claimed the Lakers are “expected to be aggressive in the market”, with Hawks superstar Trae Young “one of many names that is expected to be discussed”.

Although a trade for Young — or any star player in the league — could mean parting ways with valuable depth pieces and repeating the same mistake the Lakers made in the Russell Westbrook deal.

Of course, that in itself is a simplistic way of looking at things given it ultimately depends on who the player is.

But nonetheless, it speaks to an interesting team-building debate for the Lakers front office this summer.

5. DONOVAN MITCHELL WATCH

Has Donovan Mitchell played his last game for the Cavaliers?

The All-Star guard missed the last two games of Cleveland’s Eastern Conference semifinals series against Boston with a calf injury and now an intriguing summer awaits, with Mitchell eligible to sign a four-year extension worth around $208.5 million.

If Mitchell doesn’t want to sign that extension though, NBA insider Marc Stein reported on his Substack that Cleveland would “have little alternative but to explore the trade market” for him before next season.

That is because otherwise they would risk losing him as a free agent in 2025. Mitchell is currently contracted for next season and has a $37 million player option for 2025-26.

ESPN insider Brian Windhorst said on ‘Get Up’ that “multiple teams would love to make a huge offer” to Cleveland if Mitchell opts against extending with the team.

“There are a number of teams that have their offers ready,” added Windhorst, mentioning the Nets, Lakers and Heat as three teams he expects to be “at the top of the list” while pouring cold water on the idea that the Knicks could make a move for him.

If Mitchell does extend with Cleveland it doesn’t mean there won’t be changes elsewhere though, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, who reported that it could cost the Cavs star teammate Darius Garland.

“Should Mitchell decide to stay long term,” Charania wrote, “sources briefed on the matter say Garland’s representation, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul, would have a conversation with Cavs officials on potentially finding a new home for the one-time All-Star”.

That, of course, comes in the background of questions being asked of the star duo’s fit after Garland went from averaging 21.7 points, 8.6 assists and 3.3 rebounds on his way to All-Star honours in 2021-22 to taking a backseat on Mitchell’s arrival.

Charania also cast doubt over coach J.B. Bickerstaff’s future at the franchise should Mitchell extend, writing “multiple league sources have said, for months, that Mitchell did not have great confidence in Bickerstaff, and he was not alone”.

A report from Cleveland.com’s Chris Fedor also claimed Mitchell had “at times grew frustrated with some teammates’ lack of maturity, focus, playoff-level readiness and a willingness to listen”, which prompted a direct response from the Cavaliers superstar himself.

6. PELICANS PART WAYS WITH INGRAM?

It looks like one of the bigger names that will be on the trade market this summer is Brandon Ingram, who is entering the final year of his contract next season at $36 million.

Ingram is eligible for a four-year contract extension this summer worth up to $208 million but it seems highly unlikely he will get that at this point given injury concerns and the fact that even when healthy he hasn’t necessarily performed at that high a level at a consistent basis.

Then you also add in the fact Zion Williamson and C.J. McCollum are on expensive long-term contracts while the Pelicans also already have a much younger, cheaper alternative in Trey Murphy II.

All of that is to say a max extension a long shot, a trade seems the best bet.

NBA insider Marc Stein reported on his Substack that there is a “growing belief leaguewide that Pelicans will aggressively explore the trade market” for Ingram.

“League sources say that Ingram’s exit is increasingly viewed by various league observers as an inevitability rather than possibility,” Stein added.

Pelicans beat writer Christian Clark, meanwhile, reported if an extension can’t be agreed to, the Pelicans will “likely” trade him.

The report also claimed that New Orleans is “open to adding more years onto Ingram’s contract but not at his full maximum amount”, according to league sources.

Pelicans front office head David Griffin suggested in his exit interview that changes to the roster could be on the cards after the team was swept by Oklahoma City.

“In the past, we’ve always erred on the side of continuity, and our takeaway has always been let’s see this group healthy. I think we’ve seen it enough,” Griffin said.

“I think we saw it for segments of time well enough to understand that we’ve got a lot of work to do. Because it’s a historically good Western Conference, there are teams that didn’t make the playoffs that are going to get radically better this offseason.

“We need to do the same. I think you’ll see a real sense of urgency from all of us to do that.”

Only adding to the speculation Ingram could be traded is a claim from The Athletic’s Shams Charania that the Pelicans forward and coach Willie Green had a “minor exchange” in the locker room during the team’s Game 2 loss to the Thunder.

Charania reported that Ingram essentially told Green “he wanted the ball and wanted the coach to help him get the ball”.

“Given how quiet Brandon Ingram is in nature, that direct approach with Green and how he spoke up towards the head coach was a seminal moment in the locker room,” Charania said on Stadium’s Inside the Association.

“Something that did have a lasting impact since the end of the season and that relationship is something to keep an eye on right now going into a very important summer for Ingram and the Pelicans.”

The Athletic’s Sam Amick reported in April that Green has “multiple years remaining on a [contract] extension that had not been previously reported”, so if there is any lingering tension surrounding Ingram’s usage it is likely he would be the one moving on.

7. WHAT DO THE HAWKS DO?

Already, Atlanta shaped as one of the teams to watch this summer with it looking increasingly likely they would trade either Trae Young or Dejounte Murray this offseason.

Now that is even more true after the Hawks overcame long odds to win the first overall pick in the upcoming draft.

It only gives the Hawks even more trade capital to take a big swing this summer, although this year’s class is nowhere near as top-heavy which makes the pick a lot less valuable than it would usually be.

Still, it’s a nice thing to have — especially given the Hawks had just a three per cent chance to win the pick in the first place, having moved up nine spots in the draft lottery to draw it.

The San Antonio Spurs have been often floated as one potential trade partner if the Hawks decide to move on from Young given he would be an ideal pick-and-roll partner for the 7-foot-4 sensation Victor Wembanyama.

However, Jake Fishcher of Yahoo Sports cast doubt over whether that would eventuate, reporting “multiple league figures with knowledge of the situation” claim Spurs have “expressed little interest in obtaining Young to date”.

Fischer still reported that there is a “growing belief among rival teams” that Young will be put on the trade block this summer, with the Lakers expected to show interest in him.