The New York Knicks had the best season in recent memory this past season, reaching the second round of the Eastern Conference Playoffs before losing to the Miami Heat. They will look to improve on that next season, which may happen by making a big splash by trading for star forward Paul George.
George has been with the Los Angeles Clippers for the last four years, but has lately been dealing with a number of injuries that have kept him out at key moments. He notably did not take the court due to injuries for the Clippers in their first-round postseason defeat to the Phoenix Suns.
This has led to speculation about how long the Clippers will try to keep their current core together. It now seems like they are least picking up the phone from other teams about a possible Paul George trade.
SNY’s Ian Begley revealed on social media Thursday that the Knicks and Clippers have had contact about a potential trade for the eight-time All-Star.
The Knicks and Clippers have had contact about a potential Paul George trade, per SNY sources. It is unknown if Clippers are willing to move George. @TheSteinLine reported earlier that Clips gave rival teams the impression that they were gauging George's trade value last week.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) June 22, 2023
Begley later added that the Clippers are reportedly giving off the impression that they are gauging interest from other teams potentially looking to trade for George.
“Teams in touch with the Clippers are under the impression that at the very least, the Clippers are gauging George’s trade value on the open market.”
A few pre-draft notes on the Knicks, Paul George, Obi Toppin, Miles McBride and Donte DiVincenzo: pic.twitter.com/AGiXXBgqbb
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) June 22, 2023
George potentially going to New York would certainly be a splash move for the Knicks, and many fans had plenty to say about the potential move.
Knicks and Clippers “have had contact” about a potential trade for Paul George, per @IanBegley pic.twitter.com/dx5o8wgDdR
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 22, 2023
The Knicks and Clippers have had contact about a potential Paul George trade, per @IanBegley pic.twitter.com/MDOkFC6Cp0
— KnicksMuse (@KnicksMuse) June 22, 2023
Paul George is a perfect basketball fit for the Knicks.
The injuries are a real issue. The Knicks would, in effect, leverage the durability of Randle and Brunson to mitigate the regular season games missed. The hope is you get a healthy PG in playoffs.
— DJ (@DJAceNBA) June 22, 2023
Paul George has played in 87 of 164 games the last 2 years
PG is 33 years old & not getting any younger so we can’t assume health
His contract the next 2 years:
$45.6 mill
$48.8 millThis is NOT the type of guy the Knicks should be going for UNLESS it’s to unload Julius Randle
— Alex B. (@KnicksCentral) June 22, 2023
Knicks getting Paul George would be the PERFECT fit. Absolutely perfect.
— Julito McCullum aka LITO (@IamJulito) June 22, 2023
When George is healthy and on the court, he would certainly be a needle mover for the Knicks and likely make them a true contender in the Eastern Conference. However, the move would come with significant risk, as George has only played in 87 games in the last two seasons combined due to injuries.
It seems like the two sides are still pretty far away from actually making a trade happen, but this will certainly be worth monitoring throughout the NBA offseason this summer.
