Knicks Trade For Paul George Stifled For Surprising Reason

The New York Knicks will not be acquiring Paul George from the Los Angeles Clippers this NBA offseason, according to MSG analyst and ESPN New York host Alan Hahn.

The Knicks were interested in acquiring George from the Clippers, but things changed after New York got word that George was seeking a massive extension.

Alan Hahn on Knicks: “They had a chance to get Paul George. They said it was too expensive, they don't want to do it. They've already backed outta that. They talked to the Clippers, the Clippers gave what it would cost, then Paul George said 'But I want an extension.’ And they… pic.twitter.com/wamB1M4n1O
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) July 4, 2023

The Knicks talked to the Clippers about a George trade in June, but New York got 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 seems the Knicks were 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 last 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

George is eligible for a contract extension worth $220 million over four years. The Fresno State product and Kawhi Leonard are said to be on board with the idea of James Harden joining the Clippers, according to Sam Amick and Kelly Iko of The Athletic. Harden has requested a trade from the Philadelphia 76ers and wants to get traded to the Clippers.

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Ashish Mathur

Ashish is an NBA writer for NBA Analysis Network. He has been featured on many publications, including Heavy.com, ClutchPoints, Sportscasting and Celtics Wire. You can follow Ashish on Twitter @amathur25.

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