Massive Paul George, Damian Lillard, Knicks Trade Idea
In a recent article from Bleacher Report's Zach Buckley, a hypothetical three-team trade between the LA Clippers, New York Knicks, and Portland Trail Blazers was proposed. In the deal, Paul George heads to the Knicks, Damian Lillard heads to the Clippers, and RJ Barrett, Obi Toppin, Jericho Sims, Evan Fournier, and three first round picks (from NYK) head to the Trail Blazers.
This is undoubtedly a wild blockbuster trade proposal, but the justification from Buckley is that New York needs more star power, a Damian Lillard and Kawhi Leonard duo projects to be lethal, and the Trail Blazers need to finally enter their rebuild.
While things can change, the Clippers have made it very clear that they intend to continue building around Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, rather than pivoting away from one or both of them. That said, the NBA's new CBA complicates any path towards adding a star like Lillard alongside Leonard and George, which is a big reason why George's name continues to pop up in these hypothetical trade scenarios that land the Clippers another big star.
As for the Knicks and the Trail Blazers, this trade does align with the direction that both teams seem to be trending towards. Not good enough as currently constructed, the Knicks need another star. For the Trail Blazers, they are balancing the difficult decision between going all-in with Damian Lillard, or moving him to begin their rebuild.
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