Knicks Must Consider a Run at Paul George Amid Latest Clippers, NBA Trade Rumors

The New York Knicks are coming off a true “what-if” campaign. New York caught fire after December’s trade for OG Anunoby, earned the No. 2 seed in the East and made it to the second round of the postseason before losing in seven games to the Indiana Pacers.

The Knicks and their fans have to wonder what might have been if not for late injuries to Anunoby, Mitchell Robinson and Julius Randle.

Keeping the core intact and hoping the roster stays healthy is a viable offseason plan. However, the Knicks are reportedly interested in making a splash move this offseason, likely with the hopes of catching up to the newly-crowned champion Boston Celtics.

According to NBA insider Marc Stein (h/t Bleacher Report’s Jack Murray), the Knicks have interest in trading for Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George, if he exercises his player option for the 2024-25 season:

“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.”

Trading for the 34-year-old George wouldn’t make sense for every franchise. However, New York is one of the few for which it would be logical. The Knicks have their coach in Tom Thibodeau, they have a roster that is very close, and they made a trade work financially.

New York is projected to be just over $27 million below the luxury tax threshold, and it could potentially offload another $14.3 million by trading Robinson.

According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, the Knicks have contacted teams about trading Robinson while also hoping to keep impending free agent Isaiah Hartenstein. New York could save another $19.9 million if Anunoby declines his 2024-25 player option and isn’t re-signed.

While Anunoby was terrific for the Knicks when healthy, especially defensively, his multiple injuries this past season are concerning. Letting Anunoby go and adding George to the lineup is an option for New York to consider.

Another option includes offloading Randle and his $28.9 million cap hit. The 29-year-old is another tremendous player, though again, when healthy. While the Knicks should prefer to keep him, he might be the biggest bargaining chip that actually moves the needle for the Clippers.

Including Randle in a package to L.A. would potentially still leave the Knicks with Anunoby, Hartenstein, Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo and George—a lineup that would certainly challenge Boston in the East.

Nabbing George could also keep him away from the rival Philadelphia 76ers, though according to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, Philadelphia’s interest has waned.

Of course, all of this is dependent on George actually opting in and pushing for a trade elsewhere. According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the Clippers are confident that they can convince George to re-sign on a new deal.

“At least today, they are believing that Paul George is going to want to stay home in L.A. where his family is, where he’s got roots, where he’s wanted to be,” Windhorst said Friday on First Take
(h/t Bleacher Report’s Tyler Conway), “…The Clippers are like, ‘Here’s our offer, this is where your home is, stay here. If you want more money, then you got to go do it, then that’s fine.'”

There’s no guarantee that New York can make a run at George this offseason, but it’s something the franchise must consider.

George may be aging, but he’s still a top-25-caliber player who started 74 games this past season. Adding him would mean tinkering with an already strong lineup, but landing George may only mean parting with players who missed time in the postseason anyway.

Standouts of George’s caliber don’t become available often. It would be foolish for the Knicks to not weigh adding George against the other options they have in front of them this offseason.

*Cap and contract information via Spotrac.