One NBA writer is proposing that the New York Knicks acquire small forward Paul George from the Los Angeles Clippers this summer.
Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report proposed that the Knicks trade forward RJ Barrett, guard Immanuel Quickley, a 2024 first-round pick and a 2024 first-round pick to the Clippers for George.
“If this feels like an underwhelming package for George, understand the risks New York assumes by acquiring him,” Hughes wrote. “The eight-time All-Star hasn’t played more than 56 games in a season since 2018-19, and he can reach free agency in a year via the early termination option in his contract. At that point, the Knicks could be faced with maxing out a 34-year-old with durability issues.
“In light of all that, the package of Barrett, Quickley, Fournier’s salary and two firsts seems like a reasonable outlay. And we know, per Ian Begley of SNY.tv, that the Knicks and Clippers have at least had contact about a George deal.”
The Knicks talked to the Clippers about a George trade, but New York is hesitant about acquiring the 33-year-old, according to Andrew Greif and Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times. George has only played in 87 out of a possible 164 games in the past two seasons. It appears the Knicks are not ready to trade for a player who is prone to injuries.
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.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers & New York Knicks Updates
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.
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.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers & New York Knicks Updates
It will be fascinating to track George’s future. It’s possible he may remain with the Clippers since teams, like the Knicks for example, aren’t ready to give up assets to acquire him given his durability issues.
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