2024 NBA Free Agents: Rumors and Predictions for Paul George, Klay Thompson and More
The NBA Playoffs are in full swing but that has not stopped some from obsessing over the crop of free agents who could potentially hit the open market on June 30.
Paul George of the Los Angeles Clippers is one such player, with potential suitors champing at the bit to see what it would take to acquire him. But what if he opts to stay?
Ditto for Klay Thompson, whose story will be all over the headlines this offseason as he contemplates what will come next for his storied career.
Those two stars are just two of the headliners of this year's free agency class.
Where might they land and who else should fans keep an eye on?
Find out with this preview.
Latest on Paul George
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Paul George is set to be a free agent this summer but there is no guarantee the star forward/guard will leave the Los Angeles Clippers upon the conclusion of his contract.
Multiple NBA sources expect George to re-sign with the team this offseason.
It is the best-case scenario for a Clippers team whose championship window is still open.
Kawhi Leonard recently signed a three-year extension to remain with Los Angeles, which is currently sitting tied 2-2 with Dallas in the NBA Playoffs' opening round. That duo makes up one of the best one-two punches in the league, despite the lack of championship success, and consistently has the Clippers in contention.
George had the best field goal and three-point shooting performance of his career this season, achieving percentage highs in the paint (47.1) and from beyond the arc (41.3). His free-throw percentage, 90.7, was nearly a full point higher than his previous career best.
Thus far in the playoffs, George has averaged 21 points in 36.8 minutes a game, reiterating his significance to the Clippers and their ultimate goal of winning their first NBA Championship.
The Philadelphia 76ers have been closely tied to George for months and, after their showing to this point in the playoffs, they could certainly use a third star to go along with Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid.
They may have to wait, though, unless they are willing to pony up significantly more cash than Los Angeles, making it irresponsible for George not to make the trek across the country for a shot at a title.
Prediction: George stays put in Los Angeles
Uncertainty Surrounding Klay Thompson
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The Klay Thompson saga figures to be one of the most interesting of the entire offseason as the future Hall of Famer contemplates how the remainder of his career will finish out.
Option one: he returns to Golden State, tries to run it back with the team he won four NBA titles with, and goes out as a lifetime Warrior.
Option two: he goes elsewhere, looks to remind the world of the sharpshooting player he is, and helps a young team get over the hump and potentially win a fifth ring.
According to Anthony Slater of The Athletic, "Despite public declarations from all the figurehead Warriors about their desire to bring Thompson back and confidence he'll ultimately return, there is no certainty behind the scenes that Thompson's future in the Bay Area is a foregone conclusion."
Marc Stein reported back in February that there was increased momentum behind the idea of Thompson linking up with the Magic and bringing his expert shooting to a young team desperately in need of it in order to take the next step.
Thompson would fit Orlando, and would bring the deep ball to the Magic, but it would feel...wrong. It would feel very much like Patrick Ewing playing for Seattle or a beat-up Shaquille O'Neal wrapping things up with the Suns.
After Steph Curry, the argument can be made that no player is more synonymous with the Warriors dynasty than Thompson, whose big-game, clutch shots were key to the championship victories.
That his last appearance in the blue and gold would have been a 0-16 night, with no points, in a loss to Sacramento in the play-in tournament also feels wrong.
Thompson still averaged 17.9 points in 29.7 minutes this season, suggesting he still has plenty to offer his team.
Thompson should rejoin the Warriors, come off the bench if need be, and chase one more title with the team to whom he is forever linked.
Whether business dictates that is the question, but the desire of the highest-profile players and coaches to get a deal done is promising.
Prediction: Thompson re-signs with Golden State
D'Angelo Russell to Opt Out
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D'Angelo Russell has been one of the best players on the court for the Los Angeles Lakers in these playoffs but his time in the purple and gold is, at the very least, in question.
Brian Windhorst on the Hoop Collective Podcast reported that Russell is "likely" to opt-out of his current deal and test free agency this summer.
Russell averaged 32.7 minutes a game in the regular season, as well as 18 points, 3.1 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 0.9 steals. Against Denver in the playoffs, he has seen the floor for 36.3 minutes, is averaging 14.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and is shooting 35.3 from beyond the arc.
Russell can be a streaky shooter, which has hurt him in the eyes of some, and the Lakers have dangled him in trade discussions before, so it is not necessarily surprising that he would see an opportunity to go elsewhere and chase the championship that has eluded him to this point.
Where that may be is the question.
Teams can always use shooters and Russell has proven he can come off the bench if necessary. A team like the aforementioned Orlando Magic, which is brimming with young talent and in need of a consistent shooting presence, would be a nice fit.
Prediction: Russell signs with a young team, like Orlando
