Paul George was almost headed to New York this offseason, until the Knicks rejected a potential deal for a multitude of reasons.
13-season NBA veteran PG-13 was reportedly hoping the Knicks would give him a contract extension.
Plus, the NY franchise was also not willing to give up the assets required to land George so the deal went cold, ESPN radio host Alan Hahn reports.
“They had a chance to get Paul George,” Hahn said on Bart and Hahn. “They said it was too expensive, they don’t want to do it. They’ve already backed outta that. They talked to the Clippers, the Clippers gave what it would cost, then Paul George said ‘But I want an extension.’ And they said ‘We’re not doing that.’ And they walked away. So Paul George…as far as now goes, it’s off the table.”
Before free agency began, there were rumors that the Clippers were shopping George around, so it seems this could have been true.
The potential trade deal involved RJ Barrett, Quentin Grimes, Evan Fournier and three first round picks, according to ESPN’s Anita Marks.
It is coming into the final year of Fournier’s deal, so getting him off the roster makes sense.
But as for the other players and future picks, it does seem like a lot to give up for an injury-prone vet.
PG-13 is currently under contract for the upcoming 2023-24 season and has a player option the following season, so if he does stay with LA he could become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
So even if the New York somehow managed to land him without the contract extension, he would become a major flight risk.
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