George leaving Clippers for Sixers

George leaving Clippers for Sixers MANILA, Philippines — Paul George is leaving the Los Angeles Clippers, his now-former team announced Sunday night, with all signs pointing to the nine-time All-Star perhaps returning to the Eastern Conference and joining the Philadelphia 76ers. George could command more than $200 million over four years if his next contract is for max value. “Paul has informed us that he is signing his next contract with another team,” the Clippers said in a release Sunday night. The team added, “We negotiated for months with Paul and his representative on a contract that would make sense for both sides, and we were left far apart. The gap was significant. We un-derstand and respect Paul’s decision to look elsewhere for his next contract.” George had a $48.8 million option for this coming season but did not exercise it, entering free agency – which opened Sunday night – instead. It was believed there was a chance that George and the Clippers could have still gotten something done, but the team made clear that those hopes are gone. “We will miss Paul,” the Clippers said. At 34, George is still elite – averaging 22.6 points this past season, the ninth consecutive season in which he has averaged at least 20 points per game. Meanwhile, James Harden is staying with the Clippers on a two-year contract that includes a player option, a person with knowledge of that decision told The Associated Press earlier Sunday. Harden’s deal – which could be worth up to $70 million if he opts into 2025-26 – was agreed upon in principle before free agency technically started, said the person who spoke to AP on condi-tion of anonymity because neither Harden nor the Clippers had announced the agreement. Elsewhere, veteran guard Chris Paul is going to team up with rookie of the year Victor Wembanyama in San Antonio on a one-year deal, a person with knowledge of that agreement said. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope – a two-time champion guard – was finalizing a three-year, $66 million deal with the Magic, a person with knowledge of the decision said. The person spoke on condi-tion of anonymity to AP because the deal cannot be finalized until the league’s offseason moratorium is lifted on July 6. Kevin Love was completing a new two-year contract with the Miami Heat worth about $8 million, a person with knowledge of that deal told AP.