Paul George Has Next Steps Planned Out After Clippers Decision

The next steps for Paul George have been revealed following his decision to decline his $48.7 million option with the Los Angeles Clippers.

Per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the nine-time NBA All-Star will enter free agency with planned visits to the Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic.

Having spent the last five seasons of his career in Los Angeles, Paul George is not ruling out a return. However, his willingness to entertain offers from two of the league's wealthiest teams in terms of salary cap space shows his strategic approach to free agency.

The Sixers and Magic being playoff teams is likely also appealing to a player like George at this point in his career.

George's run with superstar forward Kawhi Leonard hasn't delivered the desired results in Los Angeles.

Injuries have been the biggest issue with Leonard rarely being available for the postseason. He missed all of the 2020–2021 season while recovering from a partially torn ACL.

The Clippers failed to make the playoffs that season, and in the next two years, they were eliminated in the first round with Leonard only appearing in four of the team's 11 playoff games.

George is 34 years old and one of the best two-way players in the league. He could use this opportunity to start fresh and chase a ring elsewhere.

The Clippers will have to lay out a sound game plan to improve their roster situation. Perhaps that will be good enough to convince George to return.

If not, Los Angeles would have a dismal outlook without one of their two stars.

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