Report: Paul George opts out, Sixers expected to ‘aggressively pursue’

Say what you will about Paul George, but he certainly has a flair for the dramatics. While many around the NBA waited with bated breath to hear his decision, George waited until the eleventh hour—technically the 16th hour—to announce that he would be declining his player option and entering free agency.

The Sixers were quickly identified as one of the teams who would pursue George, as their interest in the star is perhaps the NBA’s worst-kept secret. With George officially on the market, Philadelphia will likely be among the most aggressive suitors pursuing the two-way star.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, who initially broke the news, stated that George will next set up meetings with “cap space teams” and the Clippers.

Who are these “cap space teams?” Several teams will have open cap space this summer, but not every team with cap space will be a contender for George as they may not be able to offer either the money he will require next season and/or a compelling enough pitch to convince him to move away from his home and family on the West Coast.

Looking at the financial aspect of the situation, George is seeking a maximum deal over a four-year contract. As Derek Bodner of PHLYSports points out, for the Philadelphia 76ers, that looks like a $212 million deal with a starting salary of $49.35 million.

Now, who can offer that? The Los Angeles Clippers possess a cap hold for George, hence why they can still sign him after he opted out of the final year of his deal. Aside from the Clippers, the teams who currently have enough cap space to pursue such a deal with George include the Orlando Magic, the Detroit Pistons, and the Philadelphia 76ers.

It’s worth mentioning that the Utah Jazz could reach that number by moving off of a couple of one or more players, such as John Collins, Jordan Clarkson, or Collin Sexton, all players who have been rumored to be on the block since the offseason began. Still, Utah is known as less of a free-agent destination than Philadelphia and offers less of a competitive opportunity.

As it has always seemed, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Philadelphia 76ers appear to be the top two contenders for Paul George. Following somewhat closely behind is the Orlando Magic, who should not be counted out but may opt to target the Kentavious Caldwell-Popes or the Klay Thompson’s of the world.

Finally, it’s a very minor note, but shortly after the news broke regarding Paul George and the Sixers’ likely pursuit, the team did make a roster decision, declining Jeff Dowtin Jr.’s team option. This was a move they had to make by the 5 p.m. deadline on June 29, but like George, they waited until the final minutes to do so. Quite curious.

At this point, it is now up to Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey to land this plane and sign George, thus completing the plan he’s attempted to sell the fanbase on since James Harden was traded to the very team Paul George is leaving.

If Philadelphia fails and George does not sign with the Sixers, all hope is not lost, but the fanbase’s faith in Morey certainly could be. That is unless Philadelphia has another card up its sleeve.