One NBA writer is proposing that the Atlanta Hawks acquire Paul George from the Los Angeles Clippers in a blockbuster trade. Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade between the Hawks and Clippers:
Atlanta Hawks receive: Paul George
Los Angeles Clippers receive: De’Andre Hunter, Bogdan Bogdanović, Kobe Bufkin and 2024 first-round pick (lottery protected, via SAC)
George 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. However, the eight-time NBA All-Star missed the final nine games of the regular season with a knee injury and didn’t play in the first round of the 2023 NBA playoffs against the Phoenix Suns.
Without George, the Clippers lost to the Suns in five games. George has only played in 87 out of a possible 164 games in the past two seasons. The 33-year-old signed a four-year, $176 million maximum contract extension with the Clippers in December 2020. George will make $45.6 million next season. He has a player option worth $48.8 million for the 2024-25 season.
The New York Knicks and Portland Trail Blazers were interested in acquiring George from the Clippers this summer, but things changed after New York and Portland got word that George was seeking a massive extension. The swingman is eligible for a contract extension worth around $220 million over four years.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers & Atlanta Hawks Updates
The Clippers haven’t reached the NBA Finals since George and Kawhi Leonard joined the franchise in the summer of 2019. Some insiders around the NBA believe the Clippers could blow up the roster next summer if the team doesn’t compete for a championship in 2023-24. Los Angeles is potentially facing a crossroads with its roster since Leonard and George both have player options for the 2024-25 season.
The Hawks would have a lethal Big 3 of George, Trae Young and Dejounte Murray if the front office figured out a way to trade for George. Atlanta lost to the Boston Celtics in the first round of the 2023 NBA postseason in six games.
Murray averaged 20.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.1 assists for the Hawks in 2022-23 while shooting 46.4% from the floor, 34.4% from 3 and 83.2% from the free-throw line. He and Young helped Atlanta win 41 games. Young put up 26.2 points, 3.0 rebounds and 10.2 assists per game while shooting 42.9% overall, 33.5% from deep and 88.6% from the free-throw line.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers & Atlanta Hawks Updates
The Hawks made a blockbuster trade earlier this offseason, trading John Collins to the Utah Jazz. It will be fascinating to see if Atlanta is able to land George or another star soon.
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