One NBA writer is proposing that the Los Angeles Lakers acquire Paul George from the Los Angeles Clippers in a wild blockbuster trade. Eddie Bitar of Fadeaway World proposed the following trade idea between the Lakers and Clippers:
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: Paul George
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, 2029 First-Round Pick
George averaged 23.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists for the Clippers last season while shooting 45.7% overall, 37.1% from 3 and 87.1% from the free-throw line. The eight-time NBA All-Star missed the last 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.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Paul George, Los Angeles Lakers & Los Angeles Clippers Updates
Without George, the Clippers lost to the Suns in five quick games. George has only played in 87 out of a possible 164 games over the past two seasons. The 33-year-old signed a lucrative four-year, $176 million maximum extension with the Clippers in December 2020. George will make $45.6 million next season and 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 talented two-way forward is eligible for a contract extension worth around $220 million over four years.
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 offseason 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.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Paul George, Los Angeles Lakers & Los Angeles Clippers Updates
The Lakers would have a lethal Big 3 of George, LeBron James and Anthony Davis if Los Angeles’ front office figured out a way to acquire George.
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