Paul George of the Los Angeles Clippers is seen as a potential trade target for the New York Knicks, according to Dan Favale of Bleacher Report. Paul George, who has been an All-Star nine times, would provide the Knicks with another scorer and a top-level defender.
The soon-to-be 34-year-old has the option to be a player for the 2024-25 season. Favale believes that a trade to the Knicks could be made easier if George chooses to stay and then arranges the move.
“The details of any trade should also help. As a potential free agent, George has the ability to set the terms for leaving the Los Angeles Clippers—a departure that currently seems feasible due to the lack of a contract extension,” Favale wrote in his April 19 article about trade options for every NBA team this offseason. “And under these circumstances, the Knicks may not have to give up as many future draft picks as they normally would to acquire a player of this caliber.
“PG can simplify matters by staying and arranging a move to New York. A sign-and-trade would be more complex, as it would limit the Knicks' spending, but it’s not impossible. Though it might be challenging financially, the team has enough contracts that can be traded to match George’s incoming salary and then, if needed, create the flexibility under the spending limit required to use Early Bird rights with Isaiah Hartenstein.”
Knicks Have Assets to Trade for a Superstar
The New York Knicks are in a good position to try to acquire a superstar player if one becomes available in the offseason. After bringing in OG Anunoby, Bojan Bogdanovic, Alec Burks, and others, the Knicks didn’t trade any first-round picks in those deals.
As the offseason nears, the Knicks have eight first-round picks that they can trade.
In January of 2024, Fred Katz of The Athletic reported that the Knicks’ long-term plan was to add a star to the core. However, the Knicks didn’t expect a star to be available until the offseason.
“The long-term plan remains to add a star to the core that’s already present, but the organization still does not expect that star, whoever he may be, to become available until this summer at the earliest, league sources tell The Athletic.”
George is a superstar, averaging 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists this season. He’s continued to be efficient, shooting 47.1% from the field and 41.3% from three-point range.
In his 13-year NBA career, the California native has been named to six All-NBA teams, four All-Defensive teams, and was the steal champion in 2018-19. George has been selected as an All-Star in every season that he’s played 54 or more games besides his first two seasons in the league.
CAA Represents George
George is represented by CAA, an agency with ties to the New York Knicks. Leon Rose, the New York Knicks president, ran the basketball branch of CAA before joining the organization.
Aaron Mintz, George’s agent, also represents Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and Isaiah Hartenstein. Anunoby is represented by Sam Rose of CAA, son of the Knicks president. Head coach Tom Thibodeau is also represented by the agency.
The connections to CAA are strong for the Knicks, and acquiring George would further solidify that relationship.
