Klay Thompson is out, Paul George in? Warriors are reportedly willing to trade to re-sign the PG13

The Clippers will want Jonathan Kuminga as well as picks as part of the deal. are the Warriors ready to trade the future to get another shot at Curry?

By Kurt Helin

Jun 26, 2024 07:41 PM

It seems increasingly likely — bordering on certain — that Klay Thompson’s time with the Warriors is in the rearview mirror.

Is it possible that Paul George be his replacement? The Warriors are open to the idea, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst wrote in “Get up” ( hat tip RealGM).

“To this moment at this point, the Clippers have only been able to give Paul George about what they offered Kawhi Leonard. Three years at just a more than the max contract. Paul George, frankly, is looking for four years. He is looking for a full-time maximum and there are many teams around I’ve heard, who are willing to offer the contract to him and are willing to trade for the player. The one of them could be located up from the ocean in Golden State …

“I have been informed that a variety of teams are willing to trade him, and give him a four-year maximum contract he’s not currently offered to the Clippers. This means he has several possibilities. However, the question is: will the Clippers willing to compromise on this deal or do they take the risk of losing him in the event that he is able to walk away to a team such as Philadelphia and Orlando?

The stalemate with George as well as the Clippers having been in place for a few years is not news and neither is the expectation growing that league George will choose to join his $48.8 million salary for next season, which will allow for an exit from town. The issue has always been do you have a team that is willing to grant George four years at maximum?

Take note that Windhorst claims that”potentially” that the Warriors have been “potentially” at least. There are plenty of questions regarding this idea:

• Would Steve Ballmer approve trading a player he would like to trade to trade to a division rival?
*The Warriors front office has an obligation to reduce the salary and remove themselves from the second apron. Are they really planning to make the most of George in four years?
* The Clippers Price is likely to be high. For the Warriors they’re Andrew Wiggins (for salary balance generally), Jonathan Kuminga, Gary Payton II, and at the very least, a protected first-round selection, possibly two. Would they the Warriors willing to pay for it?
* Are the costs worth it for this group of Warriors to be in the West? Dallas is expected to bring back everyone from an Finals squad, Denver as well as Nikola Jokic aren’t going anywhere. Oklahoma City and Minnesota will only improve (the Timberwolves ownership situation is undetermined), Memphis will get all healthy and returning from the 50+ win team that is seen as an option, Phoenix is still a formidable big three and the list continues and on with teams like the Lakers, Kings, Pelicans and many more. Are there any chances for a Curry/Green/George Warriors to emerge from the West? Do you think it’s worth the risk?

There’s plenty for interest George but the one team not on the list is Philadelphia as George reportedly not keen on moving toward Philadelphia. East Coast. Does that mean it is impossible to travel to Orlando as well?

The Warriors will benefit from that as they are an West Coast team.

George is given until Saturday choose his option to play next season. Everything else is based on that.