Sports
NBA Rumors: Paul George Not Being Offered in James Harden Trade Package by Clippers – Bleacher Report
As the Los Angeles Clippers put together potential trade packages in an attempt to acquire James Harden, one player who won’t be offered to the Philadelphia 76ers is Paul George.
On Friday’s episode of Get Up, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst explained the Clippers would want to create a Big Three with George and Kawhi Leonard if they make a move for Harden.
“I also think the Clippers are looking to create a Big Three,” Windhorst said. “Paul George is not being offered in any sort of James Harden package to my knowledge.”
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Thursday that Harden and the Sixers will work together to a find a trade after the 10-time All-Star opted in to his $35.6 million salary for next season.
There have been reports this offseason about the Clippers at least exploring potential trades involving George.
GQ‘s Howard Beck noted the Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers “briefly” discussed swapping George for Scoot Henderson.
Per SNY.tv’s Ian Begley, the Clippers and New York Knicks had contact about a potential trade involving the eight-time All-Star.
Beck wrote in his report that after “gauging the market for George in recent weeks,” the Clippers “now seem intent on keeping him.”
One potential reason Los Angeles at least tested the waters is because George and Leonard are eligible to sign four-year max contracts this offseason, but their age, injury histories and the team’s growing luxury-tax payments may have given the front office some pause.
ESPN’s Zach Lowe noted earlier this week on his podcast (starts at 1:00:45 mark) there’s some doubt the Clippers would give both players the full value of those extensions if they ask for it:
“The biggest subplot in the NBA that not enough people are talking about is Paul George and Kawhi Leonard with the Clippers, being extension eligible. In Kawhi’s case in July. I think in Paul George’s case in September. Because I just don’t think, based on what I’ve heard, that if those guys walk in the door and ask for four-year max extensions, I don’t think the Clippers are just giving them to them.”
The max value on four-year extensions for George and Leonard is $220 million. As things currently stand, the Clippers’ payroll is around $181 million with an estimated $47.8 million luxury tax payment.
Both figures will certainly go up after free agency begins because the Clippers currently only have 12 players under contract. Bones Hyland and Jason Preston are the only point guards on the roster right now.
The Clippers’ chances of winning a title are largely dependent on George and Leonard being healthy in the playoffs. Potentially adding Harden to the mix would certainly help, especially given their void at point guard, but it wouldn’t make sense to give up George to make it happen.