Report: Warriors ‘Have Legitimate Interest’ In Acquiring Paul George

According to NBA insiders Sam Amick and Anthony Slater of The Athletic, the Golden State Warriors “have legitimate interest” in acquiring Paul George.

George can become an unrestricted free agent by declining his 2024-25 player option with the Los Angeles Clippers. There have been rumors that he could pick up his player option and request a trade. 

“League sources say the Warriors, who have a sensitive free agency situation of their own with Klay Thompson, have legitimate interest in making George part of their new core alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green,” Amick and Slater wrote. “This sort of move would be from the same Joe Lacob playbook we saw on display in mid-February, when the Warriors owner led a failed effort to land LeBron James heading into the trade deadline. So long as Curry is still playing at an elite level, that desire to swing big in the name of title contention will remain. And with all signs pointing to Miami’s Jimmy Butler staying put with the Heat, George appears to be the most plausible star player left in play.”

One of the top players in the NBA, George averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 0.5 blocks 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 in six games, while the Warriors missed the postseason. 

George and Kawhi 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, 3.7 assists, 1.7 steals and 0.4 blocks with the Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder and Clippers. He was born and raised in Palmdale, California. 

George has made nine All-Star teams, six All-NBA teams and four All-Defensive teams.