Los Angeles Clippers small forward Paul George has been linked to the Portland Trail Blazers, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.
The Blazers are targeting forwards with size at the top echelon of the league’s player hierarchy and George is one of those players. Portland is also interested in trading for Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo.
“Portland, sources said, is targeting forwards with size at the top echelon of the league’s player hierarchy — someone like Adebayo or Clippers All-Star Paul George,” Fischer wrote.
The Blazers have the third overall pick in the 2023 draft. They are trying to trade that pick for a star player. George is one of the best players in the NBA, but it’s unknown if the Clippers would part ways with him for the third pick.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers & Portland Trail Blazers Updates
George averaged 23.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists this past season for the Clippers. The eight-time All-Star shot 45.7% from the field, 37.1% from beyond the arc and 87.1% from the free-throw line. The Clippers won 44 games in the regular season but lost to the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the 2023 playoffs in five games.
The 33-year-old George didn’t play in the Suns series due to a knee injury he suffered versus the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 21. PG-13 signed a four-year, $176 million maximum contract extension with the Clippers in December 2020. The six-time All-NBA forward will make $45.6 million next season. He has a player option worth $48.8 million for the 2024-25 season.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers & Portland Trail Blazers Updates
If the Blazers don’t trade the third pick for a star player, will superstar point guard Damian Lillard request a trade? Some NBA teams are hoping that’s the case.
“The world of NBA team building spins on the axis of star player movement,” Fischer wrote. “After the Washington Wizards ignited a rebuild by trading Bradley Beal to Phoenix on Sunday, plenty of rival teams, such as the Miami Heat, have shifted their attention onto Portland.
“Those eager front offices are eying Blazers All-NBA guard Damian Lillard, with hopes that any outcome of Thursday night’s NBA Draft — where the Blazers own the No. 3 pick — which doesn’t result in a trade for veteran upgrades around Portland’s cornerstone, may result in Lillard requesting a trade from the only franchise he’s ever known. They’re hoping if the Blazers take Scoot Henderson or Brandon Miller, it means as much as waving Lillard goodbye.”
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