The New York Knicks are coming off a wildly successful 2023-24 season that saw the team win 50 games. Unfortunately, the campaign came to a premature end against the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the NBA Playoffs.
With the NBA offseason here, rumors continue to link the Knicks to some of the biggest names potentially available on the open market.
It’s no surprise. New York has continually found itself on the rumor mill over the past several summers. It has not really led to anything concrete outside of what ended up being the franchise-altering signing of Jalen Brunson back in 2022.
Could New York now add another big-time player to team up with Brunson, Josh Hart and Co.? It’s more than possible.
NBA insider Marc Stein reports that the Knicks are a team to watch in the chase for nine-time All-Star Paul George should he force his way from the Los Angeles Clippers.
“Another trusted source has advised me to keep the Knicks on the list as a potential trade suitor for George if the All-NBA swingman indeed opts into the final season of his current contract at $48.8 million. That step would position George to push for a trade to another team.”
Report on New York Knicks interest in Paul George
As noted in the report, George has a $48.8 million player option for next season. The deadline is next Saturday. Common logic suggested that George would decline said option and hit NBA free agency. Right now, we’re not too sure. Recent indications are that he could exercise the option, only to request a trade from the Clippers.
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How the New York Knicks can pull off a Paul George trade
Any trade with the Clippers would likely require Julius Randle and his $30 million salary for next season heading to Southern California. Whether the Clippers would have any interest in Randle after an injury-plagued 2023-24 campaign remains to be seen.
Adding Bojan Bogdanovic to the mix would make the salaries work. From there, the Clippers would obviously demand a couple first-round picks from the Knicks warchest. In theory, that could get a deal done.
- Paul George stats (2023-24): 22.6 PPG, 5.2 RPG, 3.5 APG, 47% shooting, 41% 3-point
The question for New York and front office head Leon Rose is whether they believe giving up those assets for George makes more sense than re-signing fellow wing OG Anunoby in free agency. Things are not clear on that end.