Los Angeles Clippers Trade News: The ongoing era of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George in the Los Angeles Clippers camp has yielded limited success thus far. Over the course of four years, they managed to reach the Western Conference Finals on only one occasion, consistently faltering due to injuries and, notably, a regrettable collapse in 2020.
As Leonard and George continue to age, it raises legitimate questions regarding the Clippers’ intentions. Will they consider pivoting away from this superstar duo, aiming to acquire additional assets and fortify their future prospects?
Clippers Trade News: How likely is a Paul George Trade?
While a Clippers Trade for Kawhi Leonard or Paul George isn’t an imminent move, it’s not entirely implausible. In fact, Marc Stein reports that the Clippers have given off signals to other teams that they are willing to explore the possibility of what Paul George could fetch in a potential trade ahead of the 2023 NBA Draft. Despite not feeling an immediate urgency, the Clippers have expressed an openness to gauge the market and assess the potential returns in such a scenario.
#Sources — Knicks & Clippers will continue conversation in coming days on a potential Paul George trade. #NBA
— NBATradeReport (@NBATradeReport) June 23, 2023
“The Philadelphia 76ers are nearing a deal to acquire Clippers’ star Paul George for a package surrounding Tobias Harris, sources tell ESPN.” pic.twitter.com/oZkIGt471y
— Philly Sixers Galaxy (@sixers_galaxy) June 23, 2023
George, when in good health, maintains the caliber of a top-15 player. Nevertheless, the 33-year-old forward has encountered several injury layoffs over the last two seasons. In 2022, an elbow injury forced George to sit out a significant portion of the Clippers’ campaign, and in 2023, a sprained knee prevented his participation in their brief playoff venture. These recurring injury setbacks have hindered George’s availability and impacted the team’s performance during crucial stages of the competition.
With Paul George having just one guaranteed year remaining in his contract, including a player option worth $48.8 million for the upcoming season, it’s understandable why the Clippers are actively evaluating the trade market for him. Notably, teams like the Portland Trail Blazers have expressed interest in acquiring a player of George’s caliber. Intriguingly, the Blazers possess the third overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, potentially opening the door for a mutually beneficial agreement centered around that valuable selection. The Clippers trade discussions surrounding George are fueled by the possibility of securing assets and positioning themselves for the future.
Source: ClutchPoints
