NBA Rumors: Paul George Subject of 'Growing Whispers' About Possible Pacers Return | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
Mia Horton Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George has yet to receive a contract extension, and it sounds like he's interested in a change of scenery.
According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, "there have been growing whispers" about George's "own intrigue by returning to" the Indiana Pacers.
George can become a free agent this offseason if he declines his $48.7 million player option for the 2024-25 season. However, ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported on the Feb. 5 edition of The Hoop Collective (49:22 mark) that George and the Clippers were discussing a contract extension.
George spent the first seven seasons of his career in Indiana and became the face of the franchise during his tenure with the team. A return to the Pacers would pair him with star point guard Tyrese Haliburton and forward Pascal Siakam if he's re-signed in the offseason.
In addition to George's reported interest in returning to Indiana, another Eastern Conference team is reportedly eyeing him as well. TNT Sports' Chris Haynes reported in Bleacher Report that the Philadelphia 76ers will be interested in the 33-year-old if he shakes free from Los Angeles.
"If Paul George and the Clippers are unable to get an extension done, look for the 76ers to be very aggressive in trying to pursue him in the offseason...Paul George would definitely be a target of the Philadelphia 76ers if [he] is not able to get an extension done with the Clippers," Haynes stated. "Everybody expects Paul George and the Clippers to get something done—again, they want to go in that new arena with their full core intact, but if not, watch out for the 76ers, they're not done."
For now, George is focused on helping lead the Clippers, who are just one game out of first place in the Western Conference with a 34-16 record.