At 6-1 this season, the Golden State Warriors are once again looking like a top contender in the West. But ahead of opening night, they had a chance to add another star to their roster: former Clippers swingman Paul George, who is fresh off his season debut for the 76ers.
“The Clippers were willing to make a deal with their division rival, according to sources, but were looking for something of value to help restock their asset cupboard if they were going to take back an undesirable contract and be in the second apron,” wrote Ohm Youngmisuk. “Swapping George for Andrew Wiggins, who has three years and $85 million left on a four-year, $109 million deal, plus other salaries to make the math work, would have been acceptable only if the Clippers received a young player such as Jonathan Kuminga or Brandin Podziemski and a pick or two.”
Paul George, 34, was one of the biggest free agents of the 2024 offseason. After 14 years in the NBA, he rose to become one of the league’s most valuable players but the Clippers made the tough call to let him go and build a team around Kawhi Leonard and James Harden.
In full control of his destiny, Paul George signed a four-year, $212 million contract with the 76ers, and the Clippers replaced him with guys like Nic Batum, Derrick Jones Jr., Kevin Porter Jr., and others.
At one point, the Warriors were in on a plan to trade for George in the summer and it involved him voting in the final year of his deal. They could have paired George with Curry and Draymond Green to re-forge a dynasty in the West.
As one of the best two-way players in the game, Paul George would have raised the Warriors’ ceiling to a whole new level if only he got the chance. With averages of 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game last season he still has plenty in the tank and would have helped to compensate for the departure of Klay Thompson.
Unfortunately, the Clippers refused the deal after the Warriors declined to include either Jonathan Kuminga or Brandin Podziemski. Andrew Wiggins alone wasn’t nearly enough to justify the move and the Warriors had to move on and trade for Buddy Hield instead.
Today, at 6-1, it’s fair to say that the Warriors likely have no regrets over how it played out and it looks like they have enough even without Paul George to make a big run in the West.
As for George, only time will tell how his tenure plays out with the 76ers but it’s hard to imagine a better situation for him than a spot next to Stephen Curry. He could have thrived with open looks and his defense would have made a perfect fit for Steve Kerr.
We’ll never get the chance to see that scenario now but with the season officially underway it’s only a matter of time until the next big trade that shakes up the NBA hierarchy for years to come.
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