The Knicks and Clippers have reportedly engaged on a potential trade centered around star wing Paul George, according to Knicks reporter Ian Begley of SNY.
Begley noted that it is unknown whether the Clippers are willing to move on from George. NBA reporter Marc Stein noted Tuesday that the Clippers gave rival teams the impression they were gauging George’s trade value on the open market.
The Clippers have struggled with keeping their two stars, Kawhi Leonard and George, healthy throughout their time in Los Angeles. On paper, Los Angeles has consistently looked like a team ready to compete in the Western Conference, but their stars haven’t stayed healthy over the last couple of seasons, leading to the Clippers reportedly gauging George’s value for a potential offseason move.
As for the Knicks, a run to the Eastern Conference semis this past season proved that the team is ready to take the next step behind star point guard Jalen Brunson. Brunson has ascended as a true No. 1 option after signing with the Knicks in free agency last summer, and the healthy version of Paul George would give New York an All-NBA option on the wing flanking Brunson.
It is unknown what it would take to land George in a potential trade, but the fact that the Knicks are willing to take a swing shows the confidence the franchise has in its ability to ascend into the East’s upper-echelon.
In his 13 NBA season with the Pacers, Thunder and Clippers, the 33-year-old George has averaged 20.6 points per game with 6.4 rebounds on 43.7% shooting.
