Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George's future with his current team is uncertain. He could potentially hit free agency this summer, and his 2024-25 season is a player option.

With his contract expiring, it has been widely reported that the Clippers are unwilling to offer George a deal higher than his co-star Kawhi Leonard signed earlier this year.

Now, there is speculation around the league that the 34-year-old may pick up his 2024-25 player option worth $48.8 million to pressure the Clippers into trading him, according to league insider Marc Stein in his newsletter on Substack.

New contract talks between George and the Clippers have stalled over the past months, and the nine-time NBA All-Star has until June 29 to decide to opt in or out of his 2024-25 player option.

If George opts in, it could prompt the Clippers to explore trading him rather than risk losing him for nothing when he becomes a free agent next summer.

Kawhi Leonard and Paul George had the same salaries

George and Leonard have had identical salaries and contract lengths for the past three seasons until the latter signed a new three-year contract extension worth $152.3 million last January, lasting until the 2026-27 season.

George had a higher salary than Leonard during the first two seasons of their partnership, in 2019-20 and 2020-21.

The New York Knicks and Golden State Warriors have emerged as potential suitors for the 2019 All-NBA First Team forward.