Paul George is going to be one of the biggest names available in the 2024 offseason, with George hitting free agency after failing to agree on a contract extension with the Clippers like his teammate James Harden. With recent comments about how the team changed for the worse over the last season, many are assuming George could be on his way out of the franchise.
The Philadelphia 76ers were heavily rumored to be pursuing George until a report from Shams Charania stated that the 76ers are moving on to other targets. If the Clippers are uncomfortable paying George a specific price and there aren’t other teams offering him that on the market, PG13 could agitate for a sign-and-trade to be arranged with the Dallas Mavericks so he can join Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.
Trade Details
Dallas Mavericks Receive: Paul George
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: Josh Green, Maxi Kleber, Tim Hardaway Jr.
George being a free agent would reduce the Clippers’ leverage in demanding a draft asset from the Mavericks but would help them replace George with three rotational players who could return the versatility the Clippers lost when they acquired James Harden.
The Clippers Acquire Three Pieces To Enhance Their Rotation
The Clippers made a tactical error last season when they decided that making a top-heavy roster would be better than relying upon depth. The trade for Harden objectively hurt the versatility the Clippers had defensively with the departures of Nicolas Batum, Marcus Morris Sr., and Robert Covington. Now that they have a signature point guard, replacing George with three proven off-ball players could give the team a better chance.
Josh Green is the marquee player in the trade. While he averaged 8.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists, his versatility as a swingman with developing ball-handling ability would make him incredibly useful for the Clippers. The box score stats don’t do justice to how he’s capable of affecting the game defensively while also shooting 38.5% from three. His defensive intensity would be wonderful for the team, especially if he’s paired with Harden in the backcourt.
Tim Hardaway Jr. averaged 14.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists last season. He’s a one-dimensional scorer who could give the Clippers a spark off the bench. Maxi Kleber is a versatile big man capable of playing multiple positions as a three-and-D forward or center. These are three versatile pieces that will fulfill the different needs of the team. While they can’t replace George, they can give the Clippers added solidity beyond their stars.
The Mavericks’ Load Up To Challenge The Top Of The West
The Mavericks just made the NBA Finals and want to ensure the team is strong enough to get back to the mountaintop. Their team’s depth was a key asset in getting them to the Finals, but that same depth cost them in the Finals as they tried playing 11-man lineups against the Celtics, who ran a focused eight-man unit for a majority of the Finals.
The loss of Green will hurt the Mavs given his upside, age, and defensive aggression. Kleber’s versatility as a stretch big man with strong defense has been useful, but his production has been unreliable. Hardaway Jr. was a non-factor down the stretch of the season, so his leaving the franchise seems to be almost guaranteed. Adding George gives them a bonafide small forward for an elite starting five featuring Doncic, Irving, George, P.J. Washington, and Dereck Lively II.
The 34-year-old Clippers forward averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists last season, even helping the franchise win a game against the Mavericks in the Playoffs without Kawhi Leonard. With the Mavs retaining the likes of Jaden Hardy and Dante Exum, while keeping assets alive for more additions, this team could establish itself as a bonafide contender in the West.
Both Teams Refocusing Their Approach To Being A Championship Team
By simplifying basketball in the eyes of big threes or superstar duos, we have forgotten that there are multiple effective ways of building a team if the right talent is identified. Even though the Celtics built off a duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, they added All-Star caliber players around those two on big salaries, even if it affected the overall depth of the roster. The Mavericks are looking to replicate that by adding George to create what could be the best starting five in the West, even if it costs them their overall roster depth.
The Clippers tried running a top-heavy roster this season and fell apart once again due to injuries. At this point, their best bet is to put as much versatile talent around Leonard and Harden (if he re-signs) while praying that everyone stays healthy for 82 games. The players the Clippers are receiving in this deal are comfortable with being off-ball players, with Green and Hardaway capable of being on-ball whether to make plays (Green) or score (Hardaway). Kleber’s defensive versatility will make him a Ty Lue favorite.
These are two winning formulas, though the Clippers will feel hard done by losing George to a return like this given what they have up for him. But if he’s unwilling to re-sign and no other team is throwing him a bag, arranging a sign-and-trade with a destination like this could be their next best option.
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