Jan 31, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; LA Clippers guard Paul George (13) brings the ball up court against the Chicago Bulls during the first half at United Center. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
NBA: Los Angeles Clippers at Chicago Bulls
(New York, NY) — There was a lot of buzz around the NBA draft that Paul George would be in play for the New York Knicks.
“The Knicks and Clippers have had contact about a potential Paul George trade,” Ian Begley of SNY said before draft night. “It is unknown if the Clippers are willing to move George. (NBA insider Marc Stein) reported earlier that Clips gave rival teams the impression that they were gauging George’s trade value last week.”
George averaged 23.2 points and 6.3 rebounds over four seasons on the LA Clippers after arriving from Oklahoma City in a 2019 trade, and he’s a top-20 talent capable of taking the Knicks to new heights. Obviously, the draft came and went with George staying on the Clips, but can–or will–the Knicks try again this offseason?
Bobby Marks of ESPN thinks they should. He put forward a deal that would have New York acquire George for RJ Barrett, Quentin Grimes, Evan Fournier, two 2024 first-round picks, and a 2025 pick swap.
“For the Knicks, the reward is a top-20 player at half the cost that would have been required to acquire Donovan Mitchell last year,” Marks writes. “New York would still have six first-round picks available to trade in future deals, is under the luxury tax for 2023-24, and is not in danger of becoming a second apron team in 2024-25 even if George were extended.”
It remains to be seen if the Knicks will take his advice.
