Tearing an NBA team down is not easy. Front offices around the NBA would prefer not to stomach a rebuild. That usually means years of losing. At the same time, it can be what’s best for an organization. Is it what’s best for the Los Angeles Clippers?
That’s a tough call. On the one hand, the Clippers have enough talent on this roster to compete for an NBA title. Unfortunately, much of that talent is injury-prone. The Clippers can’t seem to get healthy. If they don’t, they won’t be competing for anything soon.
What about the Atlanta Hawks? A rebuild in Atlanta would feel a little premature. Sure, they were disappointing last season. Still, the Hawks are young and not especially prone to injuries. They may do better to make a win-now trade instead. Could they do so by acquiring Paul George from the Clippers?
The Trade Proposal
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: F De’Andre Hunter, G/F Bogdan Bogdanovic, F/C Onyeka Onkongwu, G/F AJ Griffin, 2024 First-Round Pick (Top 14 Protected – SAC via ATL), 2029 First-Round Pick (ATL)
Atlanta Hawks Receive: G/F Paul George
Around the NBA, folks refer to the “rebuilding cycle.” Every team is at some stage in the cycle. A team goes all-in when they think they’ve got a title shot, and if they miss out frequently enough, they start the cycle over.
With that said, the cycle looks different for everybody. Take the Clippers. This was a plucky, competitive team. The Clippers were deep, but nobody thought they had a serious chance at winning a title. When they acquired Kawhi Leonard and Paul George in the same summer, that changed. Suddenly, the Clippers were in the title hunt.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers, Trae Young & Atlanta Hawks Updates
By contrast, the Hawks have played out a more gradual cycle. Most of the key players on this team were drafted by the organization. Sure, Clint Capela and Dejounte Murray are exceptions, but the Hawks did not acquire two superstars in one summer. Should they acquire a superstar now?
Why The Atlanta Hawks Do The Deal
Some have suggested that acquiring Dejounte Murray was a mistake. The Hawks landed him for his elite defense. Murray’s ability to guard the point of attack was supposed to make up for Trae Young’s shortcomings on that end. Unfortunately, his fit on the offensive end alongside Young has been questionable.
George could mitigate those issues. As an elite shooter, he’ll be a good fit with both young playmakers. Moreover, George is an outstanding defender as well. He’d also give the Hawks another shot creator. There’s no question that George is a good fit here and would improve the Hawks.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers, Trae Young & Atlanta Hawks Updates
Is he worth the cost? We think so. Losing Griffin will hurt. Otherwise, George is a direct replacement for Hunter and Onkongwu’s path to starting minutes anyway. The Hawks should be happy to pay this price for George. Should the Clippers pay it?
Why The Los Angeles Clippers Do The Deal
NBA players get hurt. Still, some get hurt more than others. Few get hurt as often as Kawhi Leonard. Unfortunately, Paul George is prone to getting hurt as well. This is a problem for the Clippers.
This is a solution. The Clippers are bringing in relatively durable players here – that’s one of several reasons they’d do this deal. They’re also bolstering their depth. If Leonard can get healthy, the Clippers could still be competitive following this deal. Meanwhile, they’d also be getting younger and adding some draft assets in the process.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers, Trae Young & Atlanta Hawks Updates
At the same time, the Clippers could also move Leonard. If the Clippers are rebuilding, this deal makes perfect sense for them. Time will tell whether they resist that path or not.
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