The Los Angeles Clippers have not been able to get over the hump in the four seasons with Paul George and Kawhi Leonard as teammates in Southern California.
That’s primarily due to injuries the two future Hall of Famers have suffered through during this span. In fact, George has played in just 87 games over the past two seasons and missed the 2023 NBA Playoffs.
Could this lead to the Clippers breaking up the core duo? According to NBA insider Marc Stein, they are at least giving it consideration.
“League sources tell The Stein Line that the LA Clippers have left various rival teams with the impression through their Draft Week conversations that they are, at a minimum, attempting to gauge Paul George’s trade value and, to hear some describe it, giving real consideration to the idea of disassembling the Kawhi Leonard/George tandem,” report on Los Angeles Clippers gauging interest in Paul George trade.
When on the court, George has been absolutely stellar during his run in Southern California. The eight-time All-Star is averaging 23.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.9 assists while shooting 45% from the field with the Clippers. He’s also one of the better wing defenders in the game.
In addition to George’s injury issues, Leonard has suited up in just 161 games in four seasons with the Clippers. That has cripped their championship aspirations after the two came to Los Angeles as a tandem back in 2019.
Related: Los Angeles Clippers in trade talks for future Hall of Famer
Potential trade destinations for Los Angeles Clippers’ Paul George
Despite his injury history and expensive contract, George is still going to be attractive to contending teams. At this point, it’s unlikely to cost a premium in terms of compensation due to the aforementioned factors.
Remember, George is playing under a four-year, $176.27 million contract. It is slated to pay him $45.64 million in 2023-24 with a $48.79 million player option for the following season. That could limit what the Los Angeles Clippers receive in return.
Miami Heat
The defending Eastern Conference champions were finalists to land Bradley Beal before he was dealt from the Washington Wizards to the Phoenix Suns. President Pat Riley also made it clear that Miami would chase after a star player if he sees a fit.
About that? The idea of teaming George up with Jimmy Butler might be too hard for the Heat to pass up on. That’s a duo of elite two-way players out on the perimeter. Miami could offer up a package surrounding Kyle Lowry and Tyler Herro to potentially get this done.
Related: Updated NBA trade rumors
New York Knicks
Given George’s ability to play both the two and three, he’d make perfect sense for a Knicks team that loves flexibility in its lineup. In this scenario, George would team up with Jalen Brunson in the backcourt with RJ Barrett manning the three and Julius Randle at the four. It’s a darn good start for a Knicks team that surprised a season ago. New York is also said to potentially be going big-game hunting this offseason.
In return, New York offer up young point guard Immanuel Quickley as the centerpiece. The Los Angeles Clippers have long been seeking an answer at point guard. He could be the long-term solution.
Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia is rumored to be interested in dealing away forward Tobias Harris. And while a return to the Clippers likely wouldn’t be in the cards, getting a third team makes sense. What we do know is that George would be a great fit with Joel Embiid. If James Harden does indeed re-sign in NBA free agency, that’d be one of the best core trios in the Association.
As noted above, the Clippers might not have interest in Harris. Instead, a team like the Atlanta Hawks could be enticed by his expiring contract as part of a package while moving the likes of Dejounte Murray and John Collins.
