Report: Knicks Could Pursue Paul George Trade If He Picks Up 2024-25 Player Option With Clippers

According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the New York Knicks could pursue a Paul George trade if the All-Star picks up his 2024-25 player option with the Los Angeles Clippers. 

George picking up his 2024-25 player option would position him to push for a trade to another team.

“One team described George to me as ‘the domino who will make it all go when he falls.’ I am struggling to pinpoint third-party teams that put much stock in the recent leakage suggesting that the 76ers have cooled on the idea of pursuing George,” Stein wrote. “Only the Sixers know their true intentions, but let’s just say there will be a healthy bit of skepticism leaguewide about the Sixers bowing out completely until PG-13 has either come to terms with the Clippers or landed somewhere other than Philly.

“More sources than not we’ve consulted believe George’s preference, as a proud Southern California native, continues to be re-signing with the Clippers, but the incumbent team’s apparent reluctance to extend George a longer or richer deal than Kawhi Leonard‘s recent three-year contract extension in the $150 million range has put George’s future in legitimate flux. Another trusted source has advised me to keep the Knicks on the list as a potential trade suitor for George if the All-NBA swingman indeed opts into the final season of his current contract at $48.8 million. That step would position George to push for a trade to another team.”

George averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists for the Clippers in 2023-24 while shooting 47.1% from the field, 41.3% from beyond the arc and 90.7% from the free-throw line.

LAC has until June 30 to sign George to an extension.

The Clippers lost to the Dallas Mavericks in the first round of the 2024 playoffs, while the Knicks lost to the Indiana Pacers in the second round. 

George and Leonard joined the Clippers in the summer of 2019. LAC hasn’t been to the NBA Finals in franchise history. 

George has career averages of 20.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists with the Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder and Clippers. He was born and raised in Palmdale, California.