Clippers brass hopeful to retain star swingman

Paul George has a player option worth $48.7 million for next season. If he declines to pick up the option, he will become an unrestricted free agent in the summer. If he opts in, the Clippers will have him on their roster for at least another year. 

The Clippers would prefer to tie George down to a longer-term deal. They've made it clear they would like him to continue his partnership with Kawhi Leonard, who signed a contract extension earlier in the season. 

When addressing the media on Monday, Clippers President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank admitted he remains confident of retaining George's services, even if he decides to test free agency. 

“I think the thing is every deal has to work for both sides and I think we got to a point where we just said, 'you know what? We can continue the conversations but let's just table it until the end of the year,'" Frank said. "So I anticipate that we'll pick up conversations. Everything's been on a very, I'd say, cooperative and collaborative measure and he can sign his extension up till July 1 and then he can also test free agency and we're hopeful that we can still bring him back.”