The Portland Trail Blazers were not eager to trade for Los Angeles Clippers small forward Paul George given the 33-year-old’s recent injury woes, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
George has only played in 87 out of a possible 164 games in the past two seasons. The Blazers could have traded the third overall pick in the 2023 draft to the Clippers for PG-13, but the franchise decided to keep the pick and select combo guard Scoot Henderson.
“League sources say that the Blazers, though, were not eager to trade for George given the 33-year-old’s recent injury woes — George has averaged just 47 games over the past three seasons — as well as his ability to become a free agent after next season if he declines his $48.8 million player option,” Stein wrote.
The Blazers and New York Knicks talked to the Clippers about a George trade. However, neither Portland nor New York pulled the trigger on a deal. It appears both teams were not ready to trade for a player who is prone to injuries.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers & Portland Trail Blazers Updates
George, when healthy, is one of the best two-way players in the NBA. The eight-time All-Star averaged 23.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists for the Clippers this past season while shooting 45.7% from the field, 37.1% from beyond the arc and 87.1% from the free-throw line.
However, George missed the final nine games of the regular season with a knee injury and didn’t play in the first round of the 2023 playoffs against the Phoenix Suns. Without George, the Clippers lost to the Suns in five games.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers & Portland Trail Blazers Updates
George 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.
It will be interesting to track George’s future. It’s possible he may remain with the Clippers since teams, like the Blazers for example, aren’t ready to give up assets to acquire him.
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