For the second consecutive offseason, the New York Knicks might pursue Paul George. The star forward of the Los Angeles Clippers is currently navigating difficult contract negotiations with his team. So far, the Clippers have declined to offer George the max contract he desires, which could lead him to seek a way out.
Paul George might adopt an unconventional strategy to join the team of his choice.
George has a $48.4 million player option for next season. Instead of opting out and pursuing a lucrative free agency contract elsewhere, he might choose an unconventional approach to end up on his desired team.
On Friday’s edition of ESPN’s Get Up, as reported by CBS Sports, NBA Insider Brian Windhorst discussed the possibility of George opting into his player option and then seeking a trade:
“If Paul George changes teams, it’s very likely going to be a situation where he opts into his contract and requests a trade,” said Windhorst.
Star players have used this strategy before, including James Harden last season and Chris Paul in 2017. This approach is often employed by players who want to join a team that doesn’t have the cap space to sign them outright in free agency.
The rival 76ers have reduced their pursuit of 34-year-old Paul George.
The Philadelphia 76ers, once early frontrunners for Paul George, have since diminished their interest in the nine-time All-Star. With one rival team now out of the picture, the Knicks could seize the opportunity to strike a deal for the 34-year-old.
The Knicks previously expressed interest in Paul George last summer, initiating discussions with the Clippers about a potential blockbuster trade. However, like the 76ers this offseason, they eventually cooled on the idea due to concerns about his contract situation and health. George played in 74 games this past season, marking the first time since 2019 with Oklahoma City that he appeared in more than 56 games in a season.
Paul George could elevate the Knicks’ potential even more by playing alongside Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby.
While the Knicks’ primary focus this offseason is re-signing OG Anunoby, acquiring Paul George could still be beneficial for the team. George would offer another elite two-way wing presence and serve as a secondary playmaker and scorer alongside Jalen Brunson.
Last season, Paul George earned an All-Star nod and averaged 22.6 points per game with impressive shooting percentages of 47% from the field, 41% from three-point range, and 90% from the free-throw line. New York faced significant depth challenges during the postseason, with injuries to key players derailing their NBA Finals aspirations. Adding a player of George’s caliber would undoubtedly elevate the team’s potential even higher.