According to a New York Knicks insider, the team was pretty close to acquiring multi-time NBA All-Star Paul George.
Alan Hahn spoke about recent inroads the Knicks and George’s LA Clippers made on a potential trade of the 2019 All-NBA First Team selection.
The New York Basketball account, which highlights the Knicks, tweeted, “Alan Hahn on Knicks: ‘They had a chance to get Paul George. They said it was too expensive; they didn’t want to do it. They’ve already backed outta that. They talked to the Clippers, the Clippers gave what it would cost, then Paul George said, ‘But I want an extension.’ And they said, ‘We’re not doing that.’ And they walked away. So Paul George…as far as now goes, it’s off the table.”
Alan Hahn on Knicks: “They had a chance to get Paul George. They said it was too expensive, they don't want to do it. They've already backed outta that. They talked to the Clippers, the Clippers gave what it would cost, then Paul George said 'But I want an extension.’ And they… pic.twitter.com/wamB1M4n1O
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) July 4, 2023
So George won’t be relocating from LA to New York City anytime soon. From both teams’ perspectives, it sounds like the trade getting blown up was the right call. George expressed a desire to extend his contract. If the Knicks aren’t willing to pull the trigger on that, more power to them. The trade price would probably be hiked up even more with that.
Nevertheless, the update generated quite a reaction on Twitter. Knicks fans and others flocked to the quote and let their voice be heard on the near Paul George trade. Most of them were even-keeled.
Not mad at all. https://t.co/ED9p5zJMyb
— Meelz 💪🏾 (@MeelzTV) July 4, 2023
Sounds like the Knicks made a good decision.
— BRED New York (@brednewyork) July 4, 2023
Sound decision by the Knicks on both fronts. https://t.co/kdFEz68Ee7
— Puneet (@puneetsingh) July 4, 2023
https://twitter.com/theeZane/status/1676357001197019136
Our Front Office moving with sense https://t.co/OIlwoqlEIl pic.twitter.com/NSOzPUcpi3
— T (@TMU17_) July 4, 2023
The FO actually having a backbone and not folding or panicking in these scenarios is what I prayed for https://t.co/2rfSq5Qzdg
— OG Anunoby Addict (@PlayoffBoundNYK) July 4, 2023
About Chris Novak
Chris Novak has been talking and writing about sports ever since he can remember. Previously, Novak wrote for and managed sites in the SB Nation network for nearly a decade from 2013-2022