Los Angeles Clippers emerge as dark horse in Paul George sweepstakes
By Ben Gibson
The Los Angeles Clippers are emerging as a possible landing spot for Paul George as the Indiana Pacers look to trade him.
The Indiana Pacers are looking for any leverage they can get in a trade for Paul George, and it looks like the Los Angeles Clippers are helping them out.
Sean Deveney of the Sporting News is reporting that the Clippers have expressed interest in Paul George.
While most teams are wary of giving up too much for Paul George as a one-year rental, the Clippers have the advantage of being is LA, the soon to be former Pacer’s hometown.
"But the Pacers could, too, wait until after July 1 on a deal, if their best course of action involves a sign-and-trade. That, at least, gives the Pacers the chance to widen their base of possible George trade targets. Among them, league sources told Sporting News, are the Clippers, who have three significant free agents — Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and J.J. Redick — and are desperate to add a player who could change their perennial postseason disappointment. The Clippers have expressed interest in George.Any team trading for George would be gambling that it could persuade him to stay in free agency, and not bolt for the Lakers in 2018. That limits the teams Indiana can deal with to a handful of contenders or teams willing to take a risk. The Clippers have slipped in their status as contenders, but they’re not risk-averse and can get George to Los Angeles, if not with the Lakers. The Clippers could work out a three-team trade to accommodate a guy like Redick or Griffin."
Paul George might prefer the Lakers, but the Clippers offer going back home while already being in the position to contend. The Lakers will be good soon, but the Clippers offer the chance to win (like the Cleveland Cavaliers do) without the wait as younger players develop.
For Kevin Pritchard, this is nothing but good news. As long as the Clippers are in the hunt, the Lakers can’t just sit back and wait for Paul George to become a free agent in 2018. Also, it would be absolutely hilarious to see another free agent spurn the Lakers as they keep counting on Lakers Exceptionalism to get them back to the playoffs and a title.
The Pacers might have to wait longer to make a deal with the Clippers, but thanks to them emerging in the trade market for Paul George, Indiana gets needed leverage in their hunt for the best trade possible.
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The situation is far from ideal, but the Indiana Pacers should appreciate the help.