If Paul George and the Los Angeles Clippers decide to part ways this offseason, an NBA insider has revealed a logical suitor for the nine-time NBA All-Star.
It all goes back to George’s contract, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported Wednesday morning on “Get Up,” explaining that Los Angeles was only willing to give George a three-year contract extension at a price slightly below the contract’s maximum, which is one year less than the four-year deal George is seeking.
But Windhorst claimed some teams might be willing to offer him as much as he wants – including the Warriors.
“He wants the full cap. There are a number of teams out there, I’m told, that are willing to give it to him, or willing to trade for him,” Windhorst said. “One of those teams would probably be on the coast in Golden State. Golden State is fishing for big fish. Remember, last trade deadline, they made a call on LeBron James. They’re looking for big deals.”
“If Paul George is willing to leave, they would like to be an option for him.”
Windhorst’s report is consistent with several others, including one by NBA insider Marc Stein, who wrote in his latest subreddit that the Warriors could look to George on the open market with Klay Thompson’s future uncertain.
“I’m sure the Warriors are interested in that [Paul] George K [New York] “Nicks — maybe more,” Stein wrote.
Stein added that there is a “growing feeling” league-wide that George will option a $48.8 million player for next season that is becoming increasingly realistic to force the Clippers to trade him after months of “fruitless” contract extension negotiations.
George has until Saturday, the day before free agency begins, to decide whether or not to exercise his player option for next season.
Stein reported that the Warriors are “aggressively” exploring trade options, with veteran guard Chris Paul at the center of the effort. Golden State has until Friday to exercise or decline Paul’s $30 million team option for next season.
As George’s name continues to circulate through the rumor mill, Windhorst has a hard time believing he wants to leave the town where he grew up.
“Any of these places Paul might need to go via trade would have to be agreed upon with the Clippers,” Windhorst said. “The Clippers are in a position where they want to call Paul’s bluff and convince him that he actually wants to leave his hometown of Los Angeles.”
“So this is one of the most interesting things to watch in terms of gazing between now and the end of this week.”
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