NBA Rumors: Paul George, Clippers 'Apart' in Contract Talks amid 76ers Buzz

Having already worked out a contract extension with Kawhi Leonard, the Los Angeles Clippers' next order of business is trying to bridge the gap that exists with Paul George for a new deal.

On the latest episode of The Hoop Collective Podcast (starts at 18:30 mark), ESPN's Brian Windhorst explained George and the Clippers are "apart" in their contract talks.

"Now, they can't sign [James] Harden to an extension during the season," Windhorst said. "That's not permitted by his style of contract. So that's not a surprise nothing's happened there. But it's now been three months, give or take, and there's been no agreement on Paul George and the word in the NBA is that they're apart. It's not like, let's have a big problem. They're apart."

There have been rumblings the Philadelphia 76ers intend to make a big push for George, but Windhorst went on to state there's a feeling something will eventually get done with the Clippers:

"I think the league believes that Paul George wants to remain a Clipper, and there would be concern in the league about recruiting Paul George--especially if you had to give away players to open up space. ...My informed speculation is that, eventually, Paul will agree to a deal with the Clippers. It may not be for the full max, but it may be for more than what the Clippers have been offering."

There was some surprise when Leonard signed a three-year, $153 million extension in January. The deal came in under the $161 million max value he would have been eligible for.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported at the time the Clippers were talking to George with the hope of lining up the contracts for their two star players.

Leonard told reporters after a win over the Toronto Raptors on Jan. 10 he was confident based on his conversations with George and James Harden that they would be with the Clippers in 2024-25.

"With the conversation that I have with them about it, I think for the most part everybody is coming back," Leonard said. "So with me signing an extension, I think it gives us a chance to sign both of those players."

NBA insider Marc Stein recently reported there are "suspicions" around the NBA that the Clippers have been offering George "an unknown amount shy" of the deal Leonard signed.

George, who has a $48.8 million player option for next season, is eligible to sign a four-year, $221.1 million deal with the Clippers this summer. The max he can sign for with another team is four years and $212.2 million.

The Clippers also have to decide how much they want to commit to Harden. The former NBA MVP will become a free agent this summer after being acquired in a trade with the Sixers in November.

Los Angeles is paying $342 million between payroll and luxury-tax payments this season. The Golden State Warriors are the only team spending more on their roster ($382.4 million).

It wouldn't be a surprise if Clippers governor Steve Ballmer is waiting to see how his team fares in the postseason before deciding to double down on a very expensive core with all three players aged 32 or older. Leonard and George have played 24 out of a possible 37 playoff games together.