The Sacramento Kings recently had an insanely competitive series against the Golden State Warriors, pushing the defending champions to seven games in the first round. However, it is clear that the team is missing something before they become true contenders.
An area of weakness for the Sacramento Kings is their forward position, and it is clear that they lack a versatile wing that can create their own shot while also playing elite defense. Perhaps they could swing a trade for a player like Paul George, who could perhaps be available after the Clippers failed to make a deep playoff run once again. Here is a potential trade framework.
Sacramento Kings Receive: Paul George
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: Harrison Barnes (Sign-And-Trade), Keegan Murray, Malik Monk, 2029 First-Round Pick (SAC)
There’s no doubt that this deal could have an appeal for both sides, and it should definitely be a move that the two franchises consider this summer. Here is why this deal could work out both ways.
Sacramento Kings Get A Shot Creating Wing
We have seen a number of championship-level terms over the last decade have had elite wing players. For example, the 2020 Lakers had LeBron James, the 2021 Bucks had Khris Middleton, and the 2022 Warriors had Andrew Wiggins. It is clear that the Kings need a better option than Harrison Barnes or Keegan Murray at that position, and perhaps trading for Paul George could be the move that takes them to the next level as a team.
Paul George is clearly a player that is in the later stages of his career, and there is a lot of pressure on him to win a championship, as well as a desire from him to do so as well. He has a similar playstyle to Kawhi Leonard, and perhaps we need to see him on a team where he is a better fit and not in his teammate’s shadow.
During his time with the Oklahoma City Thunder, George was an MVP candidate, and perhaps he could re-discover that level of play with the Sacramento Kings. He had his best year playing next to a fast, athletic point guard in Russell Westbrook, and teaming up with De’Aaron Fox could help him on an individual level. His job on the Kings would be to hit 3PT shots and score in isolation, both things that he’d be entirely capable of doing.
A team that features Paul George, De’Aaron Fox, Davion Mitchell, and Domantas Sabonis can realistically win the championship, especially in this Western Conference. Domantas Sabonis has shown that he can’t dominate as a scorer in the playoffs, and it is clear that the team needs more star power to truly make some noise. Adding Paul George would be a fantastic move for the Sacramento Kings.
Los Angeles Clippers Get A Solid Package For An Injury-Prone Star
The Los Angeles Clippers’ biggest problem as of right now is the durability of stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. Perhaps trading one of them is the answer. Kawhi Leonard has proven that he can be the No. 1 option on a championship team, so if the goal is winning a championship, moving Paul George makes more sense for the team if the goal is to win at the highest level.
In this trade package, the Los Angeles Clippers would get three extremely durable players: Keegan Murray, Malik Monk, and Harrison Barnes. All three have shown that they can produce at a high level in the regular season and withstand the wear and tear that comes with playing 82 games. Keegan Murray would obviously be the key draw here, as he is a young player that could eventually develop into a special forward. He is already one of the best shooters in the league and averaged 12.2 PPG while shooting 41.1% from the 3PT range. Malik Monk is a spark plug scorer who averaged 19.0 PPG in the playoffs, and Harrison Barnes is a steady 3 and D veteran. All three could help the Clippers finish as a top-4 seed in the regular season.
What makes this deal extremely appealing for the Los Angeles Clippers is the fact that they’d be getting a trove of assets for a player that could decide to leave in free agency after next season. Paul George has a player option for the 2024-25 season and could easily decline and decide to go elsewhere. This is a deal that will allow the Clippers to stay afloat and could be a good option this offseason.
This Trade Is Win-Win For Both Teams
There is no doubt that this trade could end up being a net positive for both franchises. The Los Angeles Clippers will be contenders as long as Kawhi Leonard is on the roster, and adding players that can help get him to the playoffs healthy should be beneficial for the franchise. Having him as the veteran leader while getting younger and more athletic as a squad seems like a recipe for success both in the regular season and in the playoffs.
Meanwhile, the Sacramento Kings would address one of the biggest holes on their roster and become a true powerhouse in the Western Conference. They would have a big three of De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, and Paul George, and adding George would clearly increase their talent level. George would add a veteran presence on the roster as well, and his experience and play will be extremely valuable. It is always important to have a veteran that has a history of showing up in the postseason, and George definitely fits that category.
It will be interesting to see if the Sacramento Kings and the Los Angeles Clippers figure out a trade for Paul George. Hopefully, we see that happen, as that would make the Western Conference a lot more exciting, and only time will tell if Paul George will end up on the Kings.
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