George heading to 76ers, Caldwell-Pope to Magic, CP3 to Spurs, AP sources say

Paul George is going back to the Eastern Conference, and surely has made Joel Embiid very happy in the process.

George will sign a four-year, $212 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, a person with knowledge of the move told The Associated Press early Monday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal cannot be finalized until July 6 by NBA rule.

The move was finalized a few hours into the start of NBA free agency, but Embiid — Philadelphia's center and the 2022-23 NBA MVP — began planting the seeds for this at least a couple weeks ago. He and George made a television appearance together during the NBA Finals, one where the Philadelphia center suggested he'd like to see the veteran wing join him with the 76ers.

And it happened. The Los Angeles Clippers, now George's former team, said earlier Sunday night that he would not be back with them going forward — and from there, it was just a matter of the nine-time All-Star working out terms with the 76ers.

“Paul has informed us that he is signing his next contract with another team,” the Clippers said in a release.

The team added: “We negotiated for months with Paul and his representative on a contract that would make sense for both sides, and we were left far apart. The gap was significant. We understand and respect Paul’s decision to look elsewhere for his next contract.”

George had a $48.8 million option for this coming season but did not exercise it, entering free agency — which opened Sunday night — instead. It was believed there was a chance that George and the Clippers could have still gotten something done, but the team made clear that those hopes are gone.

“We will miss Paul,” the Clippers said.

At 34, George is still elite — averaging 22.6 points this past season, the ninth consecutive season in which he has averaged at least 20 points per game.

Meanwhile, James Harden is staying with the Clippers on a two-year contract that includes a player option, a person with knowledge of that decision told AP earlier Sunday.

Harden’s deal — which could be worth up to $70 million if he opts into 2025-26 — was agreed upon in principle before free agency technically started, said the person who spoke to AP on condition of anonymity because neither Harden nor the Clippers had announced the agreement.

Harden, a 10-time NBA All-Star, averaged 16.6 points and 8.5 assists last season for the Clippers, who will move into their new Intuit Dome home when this coming season starts.

Elsewhere, veteran guard Chris Paul is going to team up with rookie of the year Victor Wembanyama in San Antonio on a one-year deal, a person with knowledge of that agreement said.

Paul was waived earlier Sunday by the Golden State Warriors, who would have had to pay him $30 million for the coming season otherwise. ESPN reported the Spurs will pay Paul around $11 million. The 39-year-old Paul averaged 9.2 points and 6.8 assists in 58 games with the Warriors last season.

And Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is going to bring his championship experience to the Orlando Magic, a team that made a big jump this past season and now is trying to become an even stronger contender in the East.

Caldwell-Pope — a two-time champion guard — was finalizing a three-year, $66 million deal with the Magic, a person with knowledge of the decision said. The person spoke on condition of anonymity to AP because the deal cannot be finalized until the league's offseason moratorium is lifted on July 6.

It's a big get for the rising Magic, who won 47 games — their most in 13 years — and got back to the playoffs this past season. Caldwell-Pope was part of title-winning teams with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020 and the Denver Nuggets in 2023. He averaged 10.1 points for the Nuggets this past season while shooting nearly 41% from 3-point range.

In other notable moves Sunday:

— Kevin Love was completing a new two-year contract with the Miami Heat worth about $8 million, a person with knowledge of that deal told AP, the move coming one day after he did not opt into what would have been a $4 million contract for this coming season with the club. Love had said repeatedly last season that he has no intentions of leaving Miami.

— Andre Drummond agreed to a two-year contract worth about $10 million (the second year as an option) to join the Philadelphia 76ers, a team that he appeared in 49 games for during the 2021-22 season. Drummond spent the last two seasons in Chicago — he averaged 8.4 points and 9.0 rebounds this past season in only 17 minutes per game — and would be valuable insurance alongside Embiid in the 76ers' big-man rotation. “I'm in the mood for a Philly cheesesteak,” Drummond posted on social media.

— Obi Toppin is being rewarded nicely for his strong first season with Indiana. A person with knowledge of the agreement said he and the Pacers were finalizing a four-year deal worth nearly $60 million. Toppin averaged a career-best 10.3 points last season, his first with Indiana after three years in New York.

— Promising wing Max Christie is returning to the Los Angeles Lakers with a four-year, $32 million contract, a person with knowledge of the deal told AP. The 21-year-old Christie averaged 3.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 0.8 assists during his first two NBA seasons.

— The NBA set the salary cap at at $140.588 million for the 2024-25 season, down slightly — about $400,000 or so — from what teams had been told to expect. The tax level was set at $170.814 million, the first apron level will be $178.132 million, the second apron level will be $188.931 million, the non-taxpayer mid-level is $12.822 million, the taxpayer mid-level is $5.168 million, and the room mid-level is $7.983 million.

AP Sports Writers Greg Beacham in Los Angeles and Dan Gelston in Philadelphia contributed.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

FILE - Los Angeles Clippers forward Paul George, left, tries to shoots as Dallas Mavericks guard Josh Green, center, and center Daniel Gafford defend during the first half in Game 5 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Los Angeles. George will sign a four-year, $212 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, a person with knowledge of the move told The Associated Press early Monday, July 1, 2024.(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)

FILE - Golden State Warriors guard Chris Paul, top left, looks to shoot against Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Sunday, April 14, 2024. Veteran guard Chris Paul is going to team up with rookie of the year Victor Wembanyama in San Antonio on a one-year deal, a person with knowledge of that agreement said. Paul was waived earlier Sunday, June 30, by the Golden State Warriors.(AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn, FIle)

FILE - Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid, left, tries to hang onto the ball against Los Angeles Clippers' Paul George during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 23, 2022, in Philadelphia. Paul George is going back to the Eastern Conference, and surely has made Joel Embiid very happy in the process. George will sign a four-year, $212 million contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, a person with knowledge of the move told The Associated Press early Monday, July 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)

FILE - Miami Heat's Kevin Love, right, looks to shoot against Milwaukee Bucks' Pat Connaughton, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Feb. 13, 2024, in Milwaukee. Love was finalizing a new contract Sunday, June 30, 2024, to remain with the Heat, a person with knowledge told The Associated Press. Love's new deal was to be in the range of $4 million annually. (AP Photo/Aaron Gash, File)

FILE - Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) drives past Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic during Game 4 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series April 28, 2024, in Dallas. As NBA free agency opened Sunday, June 30, 2024, Harden agreed to stay with the Clippers on a two-year contract worth up to $70 million, a person with knowledge of that agreement told The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter, File)

FILE - Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George, right, and Jerry West attend a groundbreaking ceremony of the Intuit Dome, Sept. 17, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. The two-day NBA draft was tinged with sadness for the Clippers, who were without West in their war room. West spent the last seven years as a consultant for the team, helping recruit Kawhi Leonard and George. The Hall of Famer died June 12 at age 86. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu, File)

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TOP STORIES

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TRUMP-HUSH-MONEY-BRAGG — In a major reprieve for former President Donald Trump, sentencing for his hush money convictions was postponed until at least September — if ever — as the judge agreed to weigh the possible impact of a new Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity. By Jake Offenhartz and Jennifer Peltz. SENT: 990 words, photos, video, audio.

ELECTION 2024-DEMOCRATS — Most leading Democrats are publicly expressing unyielding support for embattled President Joe Biden, but in private conversations many donors, strategists and party insiders want to replace Biden to avoid what many see as certain defeat this November. By Steve Peoples, Will Weissert and Joey Cappelletti. SENT: 1,180 words, photos. With ELECTION 2024-BIDEN — Biden will meet with lawmakers and governors and sit for a network TV interview; CONGRESS-BIDEN — Democratic Rep. Lloyd Doggett says Biden should withdraw; ELECTION 2024-BIDEN-FUNDRAISING — Biden’s campaign raised $264 million in the second quarter; ELECTION 2024-TRUMP-FUNDRAISING — Donald Trump’s campaign raised $331 million (all sent).

SUPREME COURT WRAPUP-CONSERVATIVE SWAY — Donald Trump and the conservative interests that helped him reshape the Supreme Court have gotten most of what they wanted this term — from substantial help for Trump’s political and legal prospects to sharp blows against the administrative state they revile. By Mark Sherman and Lindsay Whitehurst. SENT: 1,430 words, photos. Eds: Replaces SUPREME COURT-TRUMP from 2 p.m. Digest. An abridged version of 1,010 words is also available. With SUPREME COURT-GUN CASES — The court sidestepped several new gun cases (sent).

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ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS — The Hamdan family — around a dozen people from three generations — fled their home in the middle of the night after the Israeli military ordered an evacuation from the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis. They found refuge with extended relatives in a building further north, inside an Israeli-declared safe zone. But hours after they arrived, an Israeli airstrike hit the building in the town of Deir al-Balah, killing nine members of the family and three others. By Wafaa Shurafa, Samy Magdy and Lee Keath. SENT: 1,130 words, photos, video, audio.

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SPOTLIGHTING VOICES

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INDIGENOUS-AFFAIRS-NATIVE-AMERICAN-MASCOT — Many Native Americans thought a bitter debate over the U.S. capital’s football mascot was over when the team became the Washington Commanders. Now, a white Republican U.S. senator from Montana is reviving the debate by blocking a bill funding the revitalization of RFK Stadium. The bill could lead to a new stadium for the Commanders. SENT: 1,200 words, photos.

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ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR

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RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR

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RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR-MILITARY AID — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said that the U.S. will soon announce an additional $2.3 billion in security assistance for Ukraine, to include anti-tank weapons, interceptors and munitions for Patriot and other air defense systems. SENT: 350 words, photos.

RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR — During his first visit to neighboring Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has told President Volodymyr Zelenskyy the ongoing war was “the most important issue for Europe.” SENT: 640 words, photos. With RUSSIA-US-REPORTER — U.N. experts say Russia violated international law by imprisoning Wall Street Journal reporter. (sent).

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MORE NEWS

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MUSIC-ANN WILSON-CANCER — Ann Wilson announces cancer diagnosis, postpones Heart tour. SENT: 350 words, photos, audio.

VATICAN-ABUSE-ART — French bishop puts off decision on ex-Jesuit’s mosaics on Lourdes shrine but says he favors removal. SENT: 660 words, photos.

MICRODOSING-CANDIES — Diamond Shruumz microdosing candies may be linked to a death and nearly 50 illnesses, FDA says. SENT: 270 words, photo.

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WASHINGTON/POLITICS

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BIDEN-EMERGENCY ABORTIONS — The Biden administration is telling emergency room doctors they must perform emergency abortions when necessary to save a pregnant woman’s health. SENT: 900 words, photo.

CHINA-IMMIGRATION-REMOVALS — The Department of Homeland Security says it has deported 116 Chinese migrants from the United States in the first “large charter flight” in five years. SENT: 500 words, photo.

BIDEN-EXCESSIVE HEAT — Biden proposed a new rule to address excessive heat in the workplace, as tens of millions of people in the U.S. are under heat advisories due to blistering temperatures. SENT: 840 words, photos, video, audio.

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NATIONAL

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RUDY GIULIANI-DISBARRED — Rudolph Giuliani, the former New York City mayor, federal prosecutor and legal adviser to Donald Trump, was disbarred in New York after a court found he repeatedly made false statements about Trump’s 2020 election loss. SENT: 950 words, photos.

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CALIFORNIA-AI REGULATIONS — California lawmakers are considering legislation that would require artificial intelligence companies to test their systems and add safety measures so they can’t be potentially manipulated to wipe out the state’s electric grid or help build chemical weapons — scenarios that experts say could be possible in the future as technology evolves at warp speed. SENT: 460 words, photos.

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INTERNATIONAL

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INDIA-STAMPEDE — Thousands of people at a religious gathering in India rushed to leave a makeshift tent, setting off a stampede that killed more than 100 and left scores injured, officials say. SENT: 460 words, photos, video, audio. With INDIA-STAMPEDE-GLANCE (sent).

FRANCE-FAR RIGHT’S RISE — In the former mining town at the heart of French far-right leader Marine Le Pen’s political strategy, her party’s electoral success Sunday came as no surprise to hundreds of supporters who gathered to see her victory speech. SENT: 1,040 words, photos. With FRANCE-ELECTION — French candidates make hurried deals to try to stop far-right National Rally from leading government (sent).

IRAN ELECTION-DISENCHANTED VOTERS — Iranian voters say they are disenchanted ahead of the country’s runoff presidential election on Friday. SENT: 890 words, photos.

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BUSINESS

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FEDERAL RESERVE-POWELL — Inflation in the United States is slowing again after higher readings earlier this year, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said, while adding that more such evidence would be needed before the Fed would cut interest rates. By Economics Writer Christopher Rugaber. SENT: 710 words, photos, audio. With JOB-OPENINGS — U.S. job openings rise to 8.1 million despite higher interest rates.

AI-DATA REVOLTS — Post a comment on Reddit, answer coding questions on Stack Overflow or share a baby photo on your public Facebook or Instagram feed and you are also helping to train the next generation of artificial intelligence. Not everyone is OK with that, and some longtime users are trying to delete their past contributions or rewriting them into gibberish, but the protests haven’t had much effect. By Technology Writer Matt O’Brien. SENT: 1,030 words, photo.

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ENTERTAINMENT

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MUSIC ARTHUR CRUDUP ELVIS — Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup helped invent rock ‘n’ roll. An easygoing shrug to a lover, his “That’s All Right” would become the first single Elvis Presley ever released, 70 years ago as of Friday. But you wouldn’t have known its success if you saw Crudup living out his final years on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, dressed in coveralls and leading a crew picking cucumbers, tomatoes and sweet potatoes. Crudup died 50 years ago, leaving behind one of the starker accounts of 20th century artist exploitation. SENT: 1,500 words, photos. With MUSIC-ARTHUR-CRUDUP-ELVIS-TAKEAWAYS.

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SPORTS

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LAKERS-BRONNY JAMES — Bronny James says the opportunity to play professionally alongside his famous father played no role in his decision to enter the NBA draft. By Sports Writer Greg Beacham. SENT: 720 words, photos.

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Uruguay's Mathias Olivera (16), celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's opening goal against United States during a Copa America Group C soccer match in Kansas City, Mo., Monday, July 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffman)

President Joe Biden, second from right, first lady Jill Biden, right, and from left, Hunter Biden, Beau Biden, obstructed, and Melissa Cohen Biden arrive at Fort Lesley J. McNair, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Washington, on return from Camp David. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Fishermen pull a boat damaged by Hurricane Beryl back to the dock at the Bridgetown Fisheries in Barbados, Monday, July 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)

A fisherman looks at fishing vessels damaged by Hurricane Beryl at the Bridgetown Fisheries in Barbados, Monday, July 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Ricardo Mazalan)

A Palestinian woman displaced by the Israeli air and ground offensive on the Gaza Strip flees from parts of Khan Younis following an evacuation order by the Israeli army to leave the eastern part of Gaza Strip's second largest city on Monday, July 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)