NBA Rumors: Paul George hopes to sign extension to retire with Clippers
Paul George will make $45.6 million this season before deciding on a $48.7 million player option for the 2024-25 campaign. That is, unless he signs an extension and settles in for the long haul. That is what George hopes will happen.
In a conversation with reporters after practice, George flatly expressed his desire to retire with the Los Angeles Clippers. He then referred to extension talks as "active," with both sides working to get on the same page.
George's next contract poses a genuine conundrum for the Los Angeles front office. He's still one of the best two-way wings in the NBA when healthy, fresh off a season in which he averaged 23.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.1 assists on .457/.371/.871 splits. His talent is absolutely in line with a max contract.
On the other hand, he's 33 years old and he hasn't played more than 56 regular season games since 2018-19, when he was a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Injuries have been the central narrative of George's Clippers career and the team has never accomplished much in the postseason since his arrival. The Kawhi Leonard-Paul George partnership is great on paper, but it continues to stall because of factors beyond their control.
Los Angeles could get another boost in the form of James Harden before long, but the pressure on George is tremendous. If he can put together a healthy season and guide the Clippers to a deep run, he will secure the bag. If the Clippers opt for more financial flexibility instead of tethering themselves to an aging star, however, George's wish to retire in his hometown could go unfulfilled.
NBA Rumors: Clippers working to trade for James Harden
The Los Angeles Clippers are the only team known to have interest in James Harden. The Philadelphia 76ers' disgruntled All-Star reported to training camp and has since been a good sport, but his trade request stands and the Sixers are expected to send him away eventually. But, that will only happen if Daryl Morey gets a return he's comfortable with.
For weeks since Harden called Morey a liar and the Clippers reportedly backed away, there have been few tangible updates on the matter. Harden's value is lower than ever and the Sixers don't have much flexibility given Harden's contract situation. It's a battle between two unmovable forces — Morey's analytical stubbornness and Harden's emotional resoluteness — but now we have a firm sign of progress.
From the looks of it, LA is making a legitimate push toward a trade. The Sixers have rejected offers centered on an unprotected future first-round pick and salary filler, with Morey reportedly seeking multiple first-round picks and Clippers wing Terance Mann, who has become a "prospect of interest" around the NBA, according to Sam Amick and Shams Charania of The Athletic.
The Clippers are scouring the market in search of more draft capital to reroute to Philadelphia. One has to imagine this deal will go through eventually. Whether it's in one week or three months, we can't know for sure. The story is that Harden is playing ball with the Sixers because he's confident in a trade unfolding behind the scenes, but it's a bit strange for the Sixers to integrate him into Nick Nurse's new system if a trade is imminent.
Patience is probably the correct course of action for those invested in the outcome, one way or the other. The Clippers need to get their eggs in a basket (I know we've reached all-time ridiculousness in Philly, but Terance Mann and two first-round picks for Harden is highway robbery in the Clippers' favor) and the Sixers will wait patiently until their asking price is met. Such is life with Daryl Morey in charge.
NBA Rumors: Knicks "checked in" on Zion Williamson during the offseason
The New York Knicks have been patiently stockpiling assets with the hope of eventually swinging a blockbuster trade for a superstar. It's not hard to find players interested in playing in NYC and the Knicks gained a lot of respect last season with a top-five finish and an impressive gentlemen's sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the playoffs.
One star who has been inextricably linked with New York from the jump is Zion Williamson. From the moment the New Orleans Pelicans won the lottery over the Knicks, there was talk about Zion preferring the Big Apple over small-time NOLA. The former No. 1 pick has taken every opportunity to call New Orleans home, but according to Marc Berman of the New York Post, we still can't rule out a trade.
The Pelicans are "not sold" on Williamson as a franchise cornerstone and the Knicks "checked in" during the offseason, per Berman.
Williamson would obviously increase the Knicks' competitive ceiling. When healthy, there are few more potent offensive weapons in the NBA. Before injuries knocked him out of commission last season, the 23-year-old averaged 26.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.6 assists on .608/.368/.714 splits.
The Pelicans face an impossible conundrum if Zion can't stay healthy this season. His talent and impact on winning is undeniable, but Williamson has been a distraction off the court and it's hard to build a consistent winner around a player who is never available. There's a world in which the Pelicans move on for the sake of continuity, opening the door for a team like the Knicks.
New York would have to move some pieces around — Julius Randle doesn't fit with Zion, and neither does his former Duke teammate R.J. Barrett — but the duo of Williamson and Jalen Brunson would give the Knicks a strong offensive foundation. Tom Thibodeau, with his heavy-workload and defense-first approach, isn't the best coach for Zion, but that's a bridge to cross when the time comes.
It's hard to imagine the Pelicans getting fair market value for Zion given all the off-court baggage, so there's every reason for the Pelicans to try to make it work. New Orleans can absolutely contend with a full-strength Zion, but he has never once been around for a whole season, so it's starting to feel like a pipe dream more than a realistic outcome.