Clippers Intend to Keep Paul George After Gauging Trade Market
After reportedly gauging the trade market for Paul George, the LA Clippers are now expected to keep the star forward. In a recent GQ Sports article, NBA insider Howard Beck confirmed that the Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers did briefly discuss a trade centered around Paul George and Scoot Henderson, but it sounds as if Portland was not super intent on moving Henderson for a win-now star like George.
In addition to his report about the Henderson-George trade talks, Beck added that the Clippers now seem intent on keeping their star forward after gauging his trade market. Beck did not expand upon that report, but there are some reasons why LA would look to keep George this summer as opposed to pushing hard for a trade.
The first reason why the Clippers could be leaning towards keeping George after gauging his trade market, is his current value. Still a perennial All-Star, George is owed $45.6M next season, and has a $48.7M player option for 2024-25. There have been reports about some hesitancy around the league to trade for George due to his contract situation, because a team acquiring him would be on the hook for his $48.7M player option, or a long-term extension, to avoid losing him after just one season.
If George's contract situation has limited his value on the trade market, then the Clippers may feel it's best to hold onto him this summer before reevaluating things at the trade deadline.
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