Trade Idea: Paul George to the Warriors
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By all accounts, the LA Clippers will not be trading Kawhi Leonard or Paul George this summer. While many feel that the organization should pivot away from this era after just one Western Conference Finals appearance in four seasons, the team still feels as if the star duo can lead a championship team.
While comments from team president Lawrence Frank after the season indicated that the Clippers are still intent on building around Leonard and George, things change fast in this league, which is why Bleacher Report came up with one hypothetical trade scenario for every team, including one that sends Paul George to the Golden State Warriors.
The justification from Bleacher Report was understandable, as this trade gives Golden State a way out of their two-timeline plan, while giving the Clippers an opportunity to re-tool with youth. That said, as Bleacher Report acknowledged, this deal assumes both teams actually want to go in this direction, which there has been no indication of on either side.
For the Clippers, dealing George without dealing Leonard would indicate an intention to continue pursuing a championship. Even with George's availability issues over the last several seasons, a trade centered on Jordan Poole and other young players does not get LA closer to that goal of winning a title next season.
For Golden State, a trade for George would signify the end of their two-timeline plan, which is something ownership has been reluctant to pivot away from - especially after winning a championship in 2022. While such a deal may put them closer to maximizing the final years of Steph Curry's prime, the Warriors may remain intent on attempting to do that without dealing away any of their youth.
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