The Golden State Warriors are looking to bounce back from a disappointing end to the 2023-24 season. The Warriors made the NBA Play-In Tournament as the Western Conference's sixth seed. However, the Sacramento Kings beat them in the first game, ending their run early. Many questions surround the Warriors roster. Most notably, Klay Thompson is mulling his free agency decision. Yet, the Dubs could opt for help from Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George with an intriguing trade proposal.
ClutchPoints' NBA Insider Brett Siegel previously reported that Paul George could be on the move, given his contract situation with the Clippers.
“The Clippers and George have been far apart in contract negotiations, as the All-Star is seeking a max-level deal that the team has been unwilling to offer to this point, sources said. Even with the organization still having the right to negotiate with George prior to his opt-out date, there has been no movement on any new deal for the Clippers. This has led to the idea of George leaving Los Angeles growing stronger every day we inch closer to the start of free agency,” Siegel explained.
George's rumored departure makes way for the Warriors to step in and attempt to try him to San Francisco. Of course, this would mean that Klay Thompson would likely no longer be a priority for the team. Yet, if he walks in free agency replacing him with George would be an excellent consolation prize. George must opt into his $48.78 million player option for the 2024-25 season for the Warriors to complete a trade for him.
With that being said here is the Warriors trade proposal that lands Paul George in the Bay.
Warriors trade offer for George
During the 2023-24 season, Klay Thompson made a salary worth roughly $43,219,00. In this proposal, Thompson leaves the Warriors in free agency, clearing his salary off Golden State's hands. That leaves roughly $5 more million to account for to balance out George's $48 million player option. Therefore, the Warriors could send Jonathan Kuminga, who will make roughly $7.6 million in 2024-25, another valuable low-salary player, and picks to offer value to the Clippers and make the money work. Los Angeles can send another player to match the leftover salary to Golden State to complete the deal.
The Warriors could trade Jonathan Kuminga, Moses Moody, their own 2027 and 2028 first-round picks, and their 2028 second-round pick for Paul George and Amir Coffey. The deal lands Golden State a highly productive two-way wing in George and more young wing depth with Coffey.
On the other hand, the Clippers would get two first-round picks, a second-rounder, and two young players with promising potential to help replace the value left by George. If the Warriors were to complete this trade, they would have a starting lineup that could wreak havoc on the rest of the league.
Why Paul George could help take Golden State to the next level
One concern with the Warriors trading for Paul George is injury woes. However, the former NBA MVP candidate played 74 games during the 2023-24 season, his most since 2017-18. Moreover, George's elite shot-creating and defensive ability can help take pressure off Stephen Curry.
George averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game during the regular season. At 34 years old, George is not getting any younger, but he is on a similar timeline to the 36-year-old Curry, who wants to win another title before his career is over.
Golden State's potential lineup of Chris Paul, Stephen Curry, Paul George, Draymond Green, and Kevon Looney would arguably be the best veteran two-way lineup in the NBA.
Regardless of what happens, the probability that George opts into his contract for the 2024-25 season is more likely than not, per ClutchPoints' Clippers Beat Reporter Tomer Azarly. For the Warriors' sake, they hope George's rumored decision results in a conversation to land him in the Bay.
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