It’s best to temper your expectations. In all likelihood, you can’t predict how a situation will resolve. The same holds in the NBA. A team may look like they’re in an ideal situation, only for some bad luck to change the outcome. Meanwhile, the inverse can be true as well.
Look at the Los Angeles Clippers. They put the league on notice when they assembled their duo of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. The Clippers were serious about title contention. Anyone would have predicted them to make a series of deep playoff runs. Unfortunately, injuries have kept them from realizing their potential.
On the other hand, the New York Knicks were not supposed to be a playoff team last year. They weren’t supposed to win a series even if they snuck in. Yet, that’s exactly what they did. Now, the Knicks will hope to build on last year’s success. Could they start by acquiring George from the Clippers?
The Trade Proposal
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: G/F RJ Barrett, G/F Evan Fournier, 2026 First-Round Pick (NYK), 2028 First-Round Pick (NYK), 2029 First-Round Pick (Swap – NYK)
New York Knicks Receive: G/F Paul George
Of course, there are two sides to every coin. Predictions are difficult to make. That was true when we had certain expectations for both of these teams, and it’s true now. With that in mind, either of them could subvert our current expectations as well.
Take the Clippers. If this group can stay healthy, they could compete for the NBA title. If they acquire James Harden as heavily rumored, that holds even truer. At this point, Clippers fans are surely tired of having their high expectations failed. Fair. On the other hand, that could be exactly the moment that the Clippers defy expectations again.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Paul George, Los Angles Clippers & New York Knicks Updates
Meanwhile, the Knicks could easily regress. All it would take is an inefficient season from Julius Randle, or an injury to a key player. This was a competitive group last year, but we shouldn’t take it for granted that they’ll be the same in 2023-24. Does acquiring George help them bolster their chances?
Why The New York Knicks Do The Deal
Last year, the Knicks’ success came in spite of Barrett. It’s not that he was an abysmal player. He was just inconsistent. Still, Barrett hasn’t developed into a major win-now contributor yet. Meanwhile, the Knicks have shifted into win-now mode. It may be time to trade Barrett.
What should they want in return? Well, an elite 3-and-D wing who can create his own shot could be the right target. That’s precisely who George is. He’d make the Knicks a much better team next season. Even if Barrett takes a leap, he’ll have to take another one – or more – to catch up to George.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Paul George, Los Angles Clippers & New York Knicks Updates
So, the Knicks are parting with a pair of first-round picks and a swap in addition to Barrett here. It’s a price worth paying. George could be the missing piece that makes this team a bonafide title contender. Should the Clippers give him up?
Why The Los Angeles Clippers Do The Deal
This won’t be an easy decision for the Clippers to make. They’d effectively have recognized that their title window was closed. That’s unfortunate. On the other hand, George’s trade value isn’t rising any time soon. If anything, it’s more likely to do the opposite.
After all, he’s injury-prone. If George gets hurt again this year, the Clippers won’t get anything for him. Meanwhile, George is also nearing the end of his contract – not to mention his NBA career. If the Clippers don’t trade him soon, they should probably accept that he’s a long-term fixture on their roster.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Paul George, Los Angles Clippers & New York Knicks Updates
Given his injury history, that’s a risky proposition. So, we’ve got the Clippers cutting ties instead. Here, they’re landing a young player with some promise in Barrett, as well as two unprotected firsts and a swap. That’s a deal worth making – even if it lowers the team’s expectations in the meantime.
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