Getty RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley of the New York Knicks.
The New York Knicks and Los Angeles Clippers have discussed a potential trade involving star wing Paul George, SNY’s Ian Begley tweeted without elaboration on June 22.
Now, Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes has constructed a “realistic” hypothetical trade proposal involving George, a 33-year-old eight-time All-Star.
In Hughes’ proposed trade:
New York Knicks would receive: Paul George
Los Angeles Clippers would receive: RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, Evan Fournier, 2024 first-round pick, 2024 first-round pick (via DAL; top-10 protected)
“It’s hard to know whether the Clippers trading George would be the first step in a rebuild,” Hughes wrote in a story published June 25. “Chances are, with a new arena opening in 2024, the Clips won’t tear the whole thing down by also moving Kawhi Leonard. Either way, Barrett and Quickley are both intriguing pieces—starting-caliber young players (Barrett just turned 23; Quickley is 24) who’ll either lead the next era or give Leonard more durable running mates. Quickley, in particular, could thrive as the spark-plug guard L.A. desperately needs.”
George had another sound statistical season, boasting impressive per-game averages of 23.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.5 steals while shooting 45.7% from the field and 37.1% from deep. But durability continues to be an issue.
He suited up for only 56 games and missed the entirety of the club’s five-game playoff run due to myriad ailments. Lacking health has been a trend who has played more than 56 games played since he played 77 games in 2018-19 with the Oklahoma City Thunder. All told, he has played in 189 out of a potential total of 308 regular season games over the last four seasons.
Hughes wrote that the trend could be viewed as positive by the Knicks when it comes to negotiations because his being prone to injury could diminish his trade value. George is entering the third-year of a four-year, $176 million deal, with the final year being a player option. George is eligible for an extension of four years and $220 million, according to ESPN. He also could decline his option and seek more money as a free agent.
Hughes noted that dealing a player of George’s caliber for developing players Barrett and Quickley could be perceived as “underwhelming” but that the Clippers may not find a more intriguing offer.
Clippers ‘Fans’ of RJ Barrett
Begley, who initially tweeted that the Knicks and Clippers had discussed George, said Barrett had supporters within the Clippers organization.
“I do know — the Clippers over there — there are some fans of RJ Barrett,” Begley said in a June 23 report.
TALK TO EM’ @RjBarrett6
Barrett showed flashes of being a legitimate franchise cornerstone on numerous occasions throughout the year and was on an absolute tear for the vast majority of New York’s two-round playoff run. In 73 regular-season games, he posted solid averages of 19.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists. And in nine postgames, from April 18 through May 10, he put up 21.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists while shooting 47.9% from the floor and 35.8% from deep from April 18 through May 10.
Knicks ‘Hesitant’ to Trade for Paul George
The Los Angeles Times reported that the Knicks would be uncertain about pulling the trigger on such a deal.
“After some internal discussions, the Knicks have become hesitant about acquiring George,” the Times’ Andrew Greif and Broderick Turner wrote in a story published June 22. “The Knicks also think George’s representatives will ask for a contract extension. He’s due to earn $45.6 million next season and $48.8 million the following season if he exercises his option.” Greif and Turner wrote.
The Knicks and other teams are ‘hesitant’ to acquire Paul George due to history of injuries and contract status, per @AndrewGreif
George is eligible for a $220M contract extension over 4 years
“After some internal discussions, the Knicks have become hesitant about acquiring…
