The Thunder and Paul George agreed to a four-year deal worth $137MM at the start of free agency and according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.com (Twitter link), the team will have the option to offer George an even bigger raise in two years.
Under the new CBA, the team can offer George an extension after the second anniversary of the deal, meaning PG13 can sign a four-year max deal in 2020 that locks him in for seven seasons. The total value of the potential seven-year pact would come in at an estimated $290MM based off of future salary cap projections.
The team’s ability to re-sign George was shocking to some, as many expected the 5-time All-Star to leave OKC for Los Angeles, a city he’s been linked to for quite some time. It’s possible that the team’s ability to offer the max extension at the halfway point of the four-year contract was part of George’s motivation to stick around, though that’s merely my speculation.
Here’s more from around the league:
- The Rockets will meet with Michael Carter-Williams, league sources tell ESPN’s Zach Lowe (Twitter link). While Houston appears to be looking into ancillary parts for its team, the franchise hasn’t given up hope on pursuing LeBron James.
- The Jazz and Pelicans have both expressed interest in Trevor Booker, Alex Kennedy of HoopsHype reports (Twitter link). The Wolves, Rockets, Knicks, and Spurs also have an eye on the big man.
- The Bulls have interest in Jabari Parker, Kennedy tweets. Chicago is one of several teams expected to pursue the former No. 2 overall pick.
- The Wolves are looking to sign Dante Cunningham, sources tell Chris Haynes of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Minnesota has eyes for a bevy of veteran free agents to fill it’s five open roster spots.
What other players does that possible extension apply to? That could be an interesting factor in other decisions as well
Booker makes sense for both of those teams, and I’d wonder of his previous connection to Utah makes that a fit
MCW could make sense for Houston if they can use him like Shaun Livingston
This would be a great pickup for the Rockets. Everyone needs a huff thatnonly shoots 25% from 3 for his career.
Sorry should have read; this would be a great pickup for the rockets. Everyone needs a point guard that shoots 25% from 3 for his career
As a backup and a rotational wing player that could be used in a switch-everything defense. MCW has some obvious offensive shortcomings, but his length and size fits well in today’s NBA. He’s basically the extremely poor man’s Shaun Livingston.
IF Jabari is healthy and all the way back, IF Jabari can play the 3, IF Jabari can continue to improve on his 3pt shot… I love the idea of him coming home to play with the Baby Bulls… but that’s a lot of IFs.
The Bulls aren’t signing Jabari — he can’t play SF and his best position is PF. The Bulls are overloaded w 4s. Makes no sense roster wise, plus MLW would automatically match any reasonable contact offer he signs. Jabari to Bulls simply isn’t happening.
Had no idea Milwaukee loved him so much. Or maybe you’re just wrong. Smh
I can’t really speak for all fans, but I really appreciate Jabari. I’d like him to stay in Milwaukee as long as he’s a viable NBA player.
Just like with LaVine, it only takes ONE team to offer either Parker or LaVine the Max, whether it is the Bulls, Hawks, or the Kings..
“MCW is an extremely poor man’s Livingston”? I thought Livingston was already the poorest man’s excuse of a player… SMH. Surely MCW is got to be better.