San Francisco, California – The Golden State Warriors were on the brink of finalizing a trade for Paul George with the Los Angeles Clippers before the NBA All-Star decided to decline his $48.7 million contract option. The potential deal, reported by The Athletic’s Tim Kawakami, revealed that the Warriors were in advanced negotiations to bring George to the team, offering him a max, four-year extension upon his arrival.
According to sources cited by Kawakami, the Warriors believed they were close to securing the 34-year-old small forward, with both Steph Curry and Draymond Green fully supportive of his addition to the team. However, financial obstacles on the Clippers’ end ultimately derailed the trade negotiations, despite the Warriors presenting multiple trade packages that they thought would be acceptable to the Clippers.
Although George is now a free agent and exploring potential options with various teams, the Warriors are no longer in contention for his services. He is scheduled to meet with teams like the Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Orlando Magic in the coming days as he weighs his next career move.
The Warriors’ missed opportunity to acquire George highlights the complexities of NBA trades, where financial considerations often play a significant role in shaping deals. While the team had high hopes of adding a talent like George to their roster, they now must shift their focus to other potential acquisitions and roster adjustments in the offseason.
As the NBA offseason progresses, teams will continue to explore trade opportunities and free agency signings to bolster their rosters for the upcoming season. The Warriors, despite missing out on George, remain a competitive team in the league and will be looking to make strategic moves to enhance their chances of success in the future.