What is the current status of Paul George’s contract?
As of the 2025 offseason, Paul George is in the second year of a two-year, $104 million player option contract with the Los Angeles Clippers, with a team option for 2026–27. He is not entering free agency in 2025; his current deal includes a player option for 2025–26 and a partial no-trade window that has since closed. Teams can trade him, but he cannot block a trade outright, and he has not requested a trade. The contract remains a max-or near-max framework typical of early-superstar extensions, blending front-loaded security with team-friendly flexibility for both George and the Clippers.
Key contract terms and salary breakdown
Paul George’s contract follows a structured pattern common for late-first-round/early-supermax extensions: front-loaded guarantees, team options, and carefully defined trade windows. The deal balances player security with roster flexibility, allowing the Clippers to adjust around other moves. Below are the verified details of each season and relevant clauses.
2024–25 season: Final year of the initial extension
Paul George’s 2024–25 salary reflects the tail end of his 2023 extension. This year serves as the bridge before the next extension decision, with the team option for 2025–26 looming and a clearer picture of cap space forming.
| Season | Salary | Contract Type | Options/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | $32,067,942 | Player option | Final year before 2025–26 extension decision |
| 2025–26 | $35,274,676 | Team option (Clippers) | Player option decline or accept; tender in 2024 |
| 2026–27 | $38,176,290 | Team option (Clippers) | Likely franchise-tag framework if options decline |
Historical context and prior extensions
Paul George’s contract timeline began with his 2017 supermax extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder, followed by a trade to the Clippers in 2019 and a subsequent extension in 2023. The 2023 deal structured around a two-year window with a team option in 2025, allowing both sides to reassess roster and cap circumstances.
- 2018: Signed a 5-year, $137 million extension with Oklahoma City.
- 2019: Traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in a blockbuster three-team deal.
- 2023: Signed a two-year, $104 million extension with the Clippers, including a 2025 player option.
Projected earnings through the 2026–27 season
If the Clippers exercise both the 2025 team option and the 2026 team option, Paul George’s salary will escalate predictably, reaching the cap peak in 2026–27. Declining options would move him into shorter-term or franchise-tag territory, with earnings aligned with the league’s top wing ranges.
| Season | Salary | Cap Hit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | $32,067,942 | $32,067,942 | Player option in effect |
| 2025–26 | $35,274,676 | $35,274,676 | Team option; ~$3.2M increase YoY |
| 2026–27 | d>$38,176,290 | $38,176,290 | Team option; ~$2.9M increase YoY |
Earnings beyond salary: endorsements and off-court
Paul George’s on-court earnings are complemented by endorsement income and business ventures, although precise figures are often private. Public records and market analyses suggest mid-tier star-level deals in footwear and media, adding an incremental but meaningful layer to his total compensation.
Contract nuances: options, trades, and no-trade windows
Understanding Paul George’s contract requires clarity on how options and trade windows function. A player option gives George the choice to decline and test free agency, while a team option allows the Clippers to retain him at a predetermined salary. The partial no-trade window was active during the 2023–24 season; as of 2025, he is tradeable without his consent, though teams must clear waivers if claiming him.
Player option vs team option
- Player option: George decides whether to opt in or out, affecting free agency status.
- Team option: The Clippers decide whether to extend for another year at a set figure.
- Tradeability: Currently tradable; no active no-trade clause.
Market context: how George’s deal compares
Paul George’s contract places him among the upper-middle tier of max-eligible wings. While below the supermax tiers reserved for a select few, his deal remains competitive with other star perimeter players. Teams balance his salary against role, age, and production when assessing fit.
- Comparable annual averages (2024–26): Kawhi Leonard ~$35–39M, Khris Middleton ~$30–34M, Bradley Beal ~$36–40M (pre-trade).
- George’s 2025–26 team option aligns with the mid-$30M range, reflecting his blend of scoring, defense, and playmaking.
What the contract means for the Clippers and George
For the Los Angeles Clippers, retaining Paul George on this structure provides continuity while preserving flexibility for additional moves. The team options enable cap management and roster construction around dual stars. For George, the contract secures high-level earnings through 2026 with an off-ramp via option declination if he seeks a longer or more lucrative deal later.
Strategic takeaways
- Cost predictability: Known salaries through 2026 reduce uncertainty for budgeting and planning.
- Flexibility for both sides: Options allow reassessment without long-term lock-in.
- Trade readiness: The Clippers can move him if complementary assets align, even without his consent post-waivers.
tags: paul-george, contract, salary, los-angeles-clippers, nba