It’s hard to believe it, but the NBA trade deadline is over. The All-Star break is quickly approaching. We’ve reached a point in the season where teams have few avenues to improve. They are who they are.
The Los Angeles Clippers are hoping that they’re good enough. If they’re healthy, they’re one of the best teams in the NBA. If the Clippers don’t make a deep playoff run in 2023-24, there’s a good chance that injuries hurt them once again.
In that event, they could take drastic measures this summer. The Clippers will have to face the reality that they’re too injury-prone to rely on. In that event, could they send Paul George to the Indiana Pacers?
NBA Trade Proposal
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: C Myles Turner, G TJ McConnell, G/F Bennedict Mathurin, F Obi Toppin, 2028 First-Round Pick (IND)
Indiana Pacers Receive: G/F Paul George
With that said, every team is on its own timeline. So, every team has their own expectations. Meanwhile, some teams changed their timeline throughout 2023-24..
Look at the Pacers. They’ve looked like a playoff team all year long. The Pacers were playoff-bound. If they hadn’t made any noise once they got to the big dance, nobody would have seen that as a problem.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers, Indiana Pacers Updates
Now, they’ve got Pascal Siakam on their roster. Suddenly, the expectations have changed. If the Pacers lose in the first round, we’ll begin to hear questions about whether landing Siakam was the right move. Should the Pacers trade for George next?
Why The Indiana Pacers Do The Deal
This would make for an appealing story. George would be reuniting with the team he started his NBA career with. Still, the Pacers shouldn’t bring George back into the fold just to appease fans.
Luckily, he’d be a perfectly sensible addition to this roster as well. Suddenly, the Pacers would have a big three. With George, Siakam, and Tyrese Haliburton on the roster, the Pacers would be as talented as anybody. As a 3-and-D wing who can create shots, George would complement Indiana’s two playmakers perfectly.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers, Indiana Pacers Updates
Would they miss Turner? Absolutely. The Pacers would have to find a low-cost defensive big to replace him. It feels worth the trade-off if they’re adding George. Should the Clippers part with their star wing?
Why The Los Angeles Clippers Do The Deal
If the Clippers are starting from scratch, they may prefer a different deal. They’re only landing one first-round pick here. With that said, the Clippers may not want to start from scratch. Even after moving George, they’ll have Kawhi Leonard and James Harden on the roster.
Does this deal make them better? In all likelihood, no – the Clippers are losing the best player in the deal. With that said, it should keep them competitive. Adding Turner would give this team the 3-and-D big man they’ve been missing for quite some time.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers, Indiana Pacers Updates
Meanwhile, adding Mathurin and a first-round pick could give them a head start on a rebuild if necessary. Alternatively, the Clippers could use those assets to make another win-now trade. Next year, they’ll know who they are once the deadline passes.
