One NBA writer is proposing a three-team trade where Paul George lands with the New York Knicks and Damian Lillard goes to the Los Angeles Clippers this offseason.
Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed a blockbuster three-team trade between the Clippers, Knicks and Portland Trail Blazers. Here are the details:
- New York Knicks receive: Paul George
- LA Clippers receive: Damian Lillard
- Portland Trail Blazers receive: RJ Barrett, Obi Toppin, Jericho Sims, Evan Fournier, 2025 first-round pick (top-four protected, from MIL via NYK), 2027 first-round pick (via NYK) and 2029 first-round pick (via NYK)
In this proposed trade, the Knicks would get one of the best small forwards (George) in the NBA next to Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle, the Clippers would give Kawhi Leonard the best point guard (Lillard) he’s ever played with and the Blazers would be set up for the future with solid young players (Barrett, Toppin, Sims) and a bevy of draft picks.
“George would immediately address New York’s spacing concerns in a major way, while stepping into the featured role on offense,” Buckley wrote. “He isn’t so ball-dominant that he would limit Randle or Brunson’s chances to create, though. If coach Tom Thibodeau could strike the optimal balance of touches between them, the hope is that each would make the others more efficient.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Paul George, Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers, New York Knicks & Los Angeles Clippers Updates
“The LA Clippers, meanwhile, could use an impact point guard, but their options of landing one are limited. They have a good chunk of mid-sized salaries, but they lack the sweeteners needed to snag a star. So, rather than sacrificing depth for a solid-but-not-elite player, they’d give up George to bet on the championship chances of a Damian Lillard-Kawhi Leonard tandem.
“As for the Portland Trail Blazers, this feels like the right time to split from Lillard, even if neither side wants to admit it. Portland already has a young core brewing with Anferee Simons, Shaedon Sharpe and whomever it gets with the No. 3 pick. It would enhance that collection here with RJ Barrett, Obi Toppin and Jericho Sims all looming as realistic long-term keepers.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Paul George, Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers, New York Knicks & Los Angeles Clippers Updates
Lillard has spent his entire career with the Blazers, while George has played for the Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder and Clippers.
Neither star has won a championship.
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