The Knicks are a team to watch as a potential trade suitor for Clippers All-Star forward Paul George this summer, a “trusted source” tells Marc Stein (Substack link).
George, who has yet to reach an extension agreement with L.A., holds a $48.8MM player option for the 2024/25 season. New York doesn’t have the cap room necessary to sign him if he opts out to become a free agent, and wouldn’t be able to acquire him via sign-and-trade, but could trade for him if he were to pick up his option. Stein notes, however, that George’s preference remains staying with the Clippers.
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst has also repeatedly mentioned the idea of an opt-in-and-trade scenario involving George and the Knicks during recent TV segments.
Anchored by All-NBA point guard Jalen Brunson and All-Star power forward Julius Randle, the Knicks rode a scrappy, gritty group to a 50-32 record and the conference’s No. 2 seed. The team struggled through a series of injuries to critical contributors during the playoffs, eventually falling to the sixth-seeded Pacers in a seven-game semifinal series.
Across 74 contests in 2023/24 for the 51-31 Clippers last season, George averaged 22.6 points on .471/.413/.907 shooting splits. He also chipped in 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.5 blocks a night.
To clear the way for a Bronny James acquisition and then…
I have to think this only happens if the Knicks can’t sign OG
Not necessarily. If PG pulls a CP3 (tells the clips he’s gonna leave, thus incentivizing an opt-in and trade so clips get something back), I could see a deal around Randle, Robinson and picks for George.
Why would you make a deal for George if you lose Randle? Defeats the entire purpose. If the scenario described unfolds Clips will have zero negotiating leverage and will take what they can get.
How else would Knicks get George if not giving up Randle? Idk abt you but if I’m Knicks I’d much rather have George.
Of course this is moot if George wants to stay or go somewhere other than NY. But if clippers are going to lose him, I’m sure they’d only want to do a trade if they get a return they actually want. Maybe you’re right that they’d settle for a lesser package like bojan, picks, and other filler, but since the only way the Knicks could get George is through a trade, the clips would have some leverage in that scenario. Basically similar to how CP3 went to Houston
Start with both 1st this year 24 and 25
Toss in some unprotected 1sts couple years down the line (2)
Clippers Knicks can get a deal done depending on the draft capital and unprotected firsts. Plus salary filler if necessary
Randle won’t be traded until he can pass a medical in September. Nobody makes him the center of a return without knowing if he can play.
You’ll need to add Bogy to the deal if we’re looking at $50M.
PG is not better than Randall, Mitch, plus picks. Barely better than Randall alone if at all
Huh?
Every trade rumor now is may or could or should or think about. I have seen every possible lame trade that may happen to my favorite team. Almost all of them will never happen. Until the knicks settle their free agents nothing is happening like every other team.
That’s literally what a rumor is
Why this trade make sense?
All opt-in if needed
Knicks get George (salary $49 million)
Clippers get OG, Bogdanovic and McBride (salary $43 million)
Clippers add salary filler if needed.
Clippers can’t get OG in a sign and trade, they are over 2nd Apron.
They can only get players and picks that are already under contract in return for George. Ex Randle, Robinson, additional matching money, and tons of first rounders.
Why both Clippers and Knicks would reject this trade proposal?
Knicks get George (salary $49 million)
Clippers get OG and Randle (total salary $50 million)
Because
Clippers need to pay $400 million per season.
Knicks does not get better.
This doesn’t work. Clips can’t acquire OG. They can only acquire players under contract
Sullivan doesn’t care about facts it’s a bot.
Which of these future HOFers would you rather have on your team if you could have them from rookie to retirement, Paul George, Cooper Flagg, Karl Malone, Damian Lillard, AJ Dybantsa, Alonzo Mourning, Paolo Banchero or Klay Thompson? Rank a top3 if possible…
That’s quite a bit of projection lol
Sometimes it’s pretty obv to tell. I vividly remember watching both PG & Dame just demolish their summer league comp as rookies & it was sorta obv to tell even then that they’d be perennial all-stars at the least. Same with Paolo. I remember watching him beast vs Chet & Gonzaga early in his frosh season. He’s just a dominant, versatile, rare guy. Same is true but possibly to a greater extent with Coop & AJ. Coop Flagg is basically a mix of LOdom & Ibaka, he’s prob the best white American basketball player since Price/Stockton/Mullin era & he may be better than those guys. AJ is the closest thing to Bron that we’ll prob ever see. Only thing that stops those boys from the HOF is injuries. When you watch em it’s obv to tell.. link to m.youtube.com
Mix of Odom and Ibaka doesn’t scream HOF
A guy with that type of size, that has Odom’s ball-handling, passing, scoring ability plus Ibaka’s tenacity, instincts, length on the defensive end definitely screams HOFer. If you haven’t checked out Flagg yet & you like watching basketball I highly advise watching him play. You’re gonna be a huge fan of his in a few yrs might as well start now. Actually your comment just raised a legit point that I didn’t think of until now tho lol. You guys don’t really value defense that much. Maybe y’all won’t love Coop
CP was the second-best PG from his draft class for the first few years behind DWill – who won’t make the HOF. You can’t always tell.
It was obvious well before he got to the NBA that CP3 was gonna be a legendary pg. The way he played as a rookie (he won rookie of the year) made it even more obvious. If you couldn’t see that CPaul was gonna be great when he was at Wake then something is off with the way you watch the game. As far as Deron he was great as a young player as well but he was never better than CPaul. If not for his injuries he’s prob a HOFer too tho, borderline at the least.
PG not a hall of famer
Malone, Lillard, and Klay. Did I take the bait?
Idk about taking the bait but you def answered the question & for that I give you props. Interesting answer as well
Makes sense. Send Randle the other way who becomes starting PF for the Clippers. Knicks re-up with Anunoby and move him to PF.
realistic trade proposal – make it simple
Randle, Bogdanovic, 2026 First, #24 and #25 for George
Makes no sense to me unless they trade Randle as part of the package. I would personally rather have Randle. Separated shoulder for Randle was a freak injury, he’s generally been very reliable. PG is always hurt. Plus Randle is 3 1/2 years younger and puts up great numbers.
Financially, I don’t get it, either. They’re trying to re-sign OG and iHart. They don’t need to blow $50 million/year over the next 3-4 years on an aging star. Doesn’t feel like a Leon Rose move to me. Just re-sign OG and iHart, maybe trade Bojan and/or sign someone to replace Precious (or re-sign Precious, though I would look elsewhere).
Knicks don’t need to make big moves. They didn’t lose because they weren’t talented enough. They lost because half the team was injured. They would have been in the ECF if healthy.
Agreed. The Knicks are on the way up. Last thing they want to do is max out a 34 year old “All star”
Agreed, Only one you trade is Mitchell, only if it brings Hartenstein back… Resign OG to play with Randle… PG is an old injury prone best years behind him, salary cap clogging potential problem 34 year old…
Randle is not a winning player at a Conference Finals level. He has never advanced in the playoffs, and has never been happy when he wasn’t a featured guy, and the Knicks rocketed to success when he was out and they could play four-out with a rim runner, rather than with a traditional four man (Randle) who can’t protect the rim and doesn’t have gravity beyond the three point line and doesn’t love doing unselfish stuff like their current core.
Maybe Paul George isn’t that guy either…but Paul George can play alongside Hart/DiVo/Brunson/Hartenstein, and Randle doesn’t fit into that world quite as well. He’d bitch about the offense not running through him enough and he’d eventually just stop running back on defense and just take all of the joy out of
game for everyone else by having pouty body language on the court, in the huddles, etc. and that’s just the stuff WE’VE seen on tv, imagine what it’s like off camera.
As the Knicks, if you can get off Randle and Mitchell Rob’s money and give up picks for an opted-in PG13, you do it, 1000%. You get hungry contract-year PG13 and he fits with any combo of players.
Nonsense
@rct – agreed, however…
If MR, JR, and Bogy are headed out to tinsel town, and the Knicks moved forward with IH and OG, you’re looking at better defense at the wing (and paired with OG would give the Celts problems), and better 3pt and FT shooting over Randle. You lose on the boards, but that where JH comes in.
I don’t like his age and history of injuries, but if you remove his history of injuries, I’d be willing to make the deal. The Knicks need a vet, and a lineup for JB, DV, PG, OG, and IH, with JH, MMB, and PA coming of the bench, if be happy.
Why would Knicks want PG. When it’s all about signing OG. George is not worth max money to Knicks.
PG – Brunson
SG – Donte
C – Hartenstein
PF – Randle
SF – OG
If you know ball or this team ……
Where do you need the upgrade. I can think of a few SGs I would want. But how many are really attainable. Knicks core is set. You think now is the time to break that up.
OG and Hartenstein aren’t going anywhere. It’s either SG or C. Where they can have an upgrade. And KAT is not a Thibs guy. Rudy would be a much better fit.
Knicks without any major changes. Still can compete for East. They were best team in NBA with everyone healthy. Even if it was only for like 20 gms.
I dont think knicks need randle anymore.trade randle and og to the nets for mikal,nix,and 1sts.knicks need healthier player.brunson,donte,mikal,hartenstein,nix. And nets will have better team with og and randle.
Key word mentioned, OPT IN, just my opinion that PG is only going to sign a new contract up front understanding… he’s not going to give up 3 yrs/ 153M … he’s not going to play out the year without a contract, easily get hurt, and his value totally gets depressed, now an injured 35 year old… PHILLY IS THE WILD CARD… if he gets 4yrs 50M+, he’ll go to Philly…
If OG wants 40M, why not pursue PG at 50M.
Trade Randle and Bojan or Randle and Mitchell.
S&T OG, but then they are hard capped right?
Why are the Knicks still wanting an old PG13. Bring Booker or Bridges to MSG ASAP!!!!
Nobody is giving him that. He could get 35 mill. Which is a huge commitment for Knicks. PG is not worth max money. I rather have the two centers, then. Rose is patient.
While there might be more ideal players than PG, at a certain point fans need to accept the reality of how difficult it is to acquire players by any means. If the opportunity presents itself, you improve the team, which has disappointed fans for over a decade and is finally on the verge of overcoming endless mediocrity. Due to the cap machinations, arguing about player salary and age is only relevant for the team owner, who just has to pay an increased tax. Going to be over the cap regardless, so get the talented vet that can help for a year and two and worry about the salary later. Every team has dead money and bad contracts. PG is PG. maybe not exactly who you want, but someone you can actually get.