Paul George of the Los Angeles Clippers is reportedly “the domino who will make it all go when he falls,” at the start of free agency, according to Marc Stein. George has a decision to make regarding whether or not to opt-in to the final season of his current contract at $48.8 million, and there are multiple teams in the conversation to land him in a trade, including the Philadelphia 76ers, despite recent reports stating otherwise.

“I am struggling to pinpoint third-party teams that put much stock in the recent leakage suggesting that the 76ers have cooled on the idea of pursuing George,” Stein wrote. “Only the Sixers know their true intentions, but let's just say there will be a healthy bit of skepticism leaguewide about the Sixers bowing out completely until PG-13 has either come to terms with the Clippers or landed somewhere other than Philly.”

The 76ers have the financial flexibility to add Paul George this offseason and add him to a core that includes Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. It would make sense for George to join the 76ers, but it does not seem to be his main preference, according to Stein.

“More sources than not we've consulted believe George's preference, as a proud Southern California native, continues to be re-signing with the Clippers, but the incumbent team's appearance reluctance to extend George a longer or richer deal than Kawhi Leonard's recent three-year contract extension in the $150 million range has put George's future in legitimate flux,” according to Stein.

When things were going well, the Clippers were looking like a title contender this season. Obviously, that did not happen with them losing in the first round to the Dallas Mavericks. The questions regarding the ceiling of this Clippers team, along with the games George tends to miss each season, could be causing the pause for the organization to offer a long-term deal.

What other possibilities are on the table for Paul George?

It seems like the two main scenarios involve George staying with the Clippers, or going to the 76ers and teaming up with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. However, a third team int he New York Knicks has been included as a possibility.

“Another trusted source has advised me to keep the Knicks on the list as a potential trade suitor for George if the All-NBA swingman indeed opts into the final season of his current contract at $48.8 million,” Stein wrote. “That step would position George to push for a trade to another team.”

This would be an interesting move for the Knicks, given the presence of Julius Randle and the desire to bring back OG Anunoby in free agency. This type of trade seems like one in which Julius Randle heads to Los Angeles. It remains to be seen whether or not the Knicks are serious about this type of move.

It will be interesting to see where George ends up in the next few weeks.