Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Clippers star Paul George declined his $48.7 million player option to hit free agency.

George’s decision to enter free agency, which officially opens today at 3 p.m., makes whatever path was potentially available to the Warriors acquiring him substantially thinner. There were rumors linking George and the Warriors, and if he opted into his 2024-25 salary, Golden State could have put together a trade package that matched his salary and then later offer him a four-year maximum extension.

George becoming a free agent eliminates that hypothetical.

A nine-time All-Star, George will be likely be the most sought after free agent available. Contending teams with cap space expected to show interest in George include the Philadelphia 76ers and Orlando Magic. A reunion with the incumbent Clippers will also remain possible.

Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. has said that it would take “a lot” for the team to use one of their coveted young players — Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, Trayce Jackson-Davis and Brandin Podziemski — in a trade. The Clippers likely would’ve asked for at least one from that group in a possible George trade offer.

“It would just have to be something that we felt unequivocally changed the direction of our franchise,” Dunleavy said. “We like those guys and think they’re going to be really, really good, but it would have to be something that makes us a lot better than that.”

Even though he’s 34 years old with an injury history, George could have qualified under that description.

The Warriors’ order of operation for the offseason now turns to Chris Paul, whose contract guarantee deadline date is today, and Klay Thompson’s impending free agency.

— Danny Emerman

James intends to sign new deal with the Lakers >> LeBron James is not opting into what would have been a $51.4 million contract for this coming season and instead will seek a new deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, a person with knowledge of the decision said.

The terms of the new deal could be finalized quickly, said the person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither James nor the Lakers revealed the decision publicly. ESPN, The Athletic and the Los Angeles Times all reported the decision earlier Saturday.

The move is among those coming just ahead of the NBA’s free agency period, though at least $1.2 billion in contracts already have been agreed upon because of new rules that allowed teams to speak with their own players about new deals — in many situations — starting on the day after the NBA Finals.

Among those already having agreed to deals that cannot be finalized until the new league year opens on July 6: Toronto teammates Scottie Barnes and Immanuel Quickley, Miami’s Bam Adebayo, Indiana’s Pascal Siakam, and New York’s OG Anunoby.

It was expected that LeBron James would technically be a free agent. It’s also been expected that he would stay with the Lakers.

The Lakers selected Bronny James — LeBron James’ oldest son — on Thursday in the second round of the draft, putting them in position to have the first on-court father-son duo in NBA history. And with a new deal, it’s even possible that LeBron James could sign for a lower number than he could have commanded to give the Lakers additional financial flexibility for other moves.