Clippers’ Paul George, Kawhi Leonard May Be Out For Season; Trades Loomig?

Clippers star forward Paul George could be out for the remainder of the season with a torn ligament in his right elbow, according to Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report.

How much time George will miss could dictate what the Clippers do ahead of the Feb. 10 trade deadline, Fischer reported.

The Clippers have already been without star forward Kawhi Leonard, who suffered a knee injury in last year’s playoffs. He has yet to appear in a game this season and his status for the rest of the year is up in the air.

“He’s always played things methodically and cautiously,” a source told Fischer of Leonard. “I knew he was ahead of schedule [in his rehab], but I wouldn’t bet on it. Kawhi is always focused on the long term. If they’re not in the playoff picture, I think the chances he comes back are slim to none.”

Meanwhile, the Clippers announced on Christmas Day that George would miss another 3-4 weeks with the injury. But as Fischer noted, it may be considerably longer than that.

As of Wednesday, the Clippers (21-21) were in playoff contention — but barely. That could lead to moves involving some of the veterans.

“They’re pretty much open for business for anyone except their main guys and Terance Mann,” a Western Conference official told Fischer. “I think they really are fine falling out of the playoffs and regrouping for next year. I think they’re trying to shed the (Marcus Morris) of the world, guys that have some value and maybe can replace them with younger talent, maybe cheaper (contracts), to free them to get someone else this summer.”