Kofi Inkoom
Despite widespread speculation about the Philadelphia 76ers making a move for Paul George from the Clippers, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst also proposes the possibility of the Sixers exploring trades for Jimmy Butler or Brandon Ingram.
“The player at the top of their list is Paul George.”@WindhorstESPN thinks the Sixers are going to give PG-13 a max contract offer in free agency, and will look to monitor Jimmy Butler and Brandon Ingram’s situations đź‘€ pic.twitter.com/bRVVY1XeeO
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) May 3, 2024
George holds the option to become an unrestricted NBA free agent this summer if he turns down his hefty $48.8 million player option with the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Clippers have until June 30 to secure George’s future, having recently extended Kawhi Leonard’s contract for three years at $149 million.
Butler and Ingram are both eligible for extensions this offseason. Butler, a former Sixer, is angling for a max contract extension from the Miami Heat, while Ingram is seeking fair compensation from the New Orleans Pelicans.
However, reports indicate that the Pelicans may prioritize extending Trey Murphy III over Ingram, offering him a rookie-scale extension potentially worth $20-25 million annually.
The Sixers, Heat, and Pelicans all faced disappointing playoff exits this year, with the Sixers notably never advancing past the second round during Joel Embiid’s tenure. Philadelphia is expected to prioritize extending Tyrese Maxey while possibly parting ways with Tobias Harris in free agency.
The Clippers’ playoff journey ended with a loss to the Dallas Mavericks, marking another season without a championship despite the presence of George and Leonard, who have been hindered by injuries in recent years.
George, Butler, and Ingram each had impressive seasons statistically, showcasing their value to their teams. George’s scoring ability, Butler’s all-around game, and Ingram’s versatility make them desirable trade targets for the Sixers.