Clippers to trade Paul George? Team president BREAKS SILENCE about franchise’s plans for next season

The Clippers could finally move on from George after 4 seasons together.

Clippers to trade Paul George? Team president BREAKS SILENCE about franchise’s plans for next season

Russell Westbrook, Paul George and Kawhi Leonard have hardly played together (Image Via Harry HowGetty Images)

Paul George is one of the best two-way players in the game today, which is why the Los Angeles Clippers traded for him in 2019. They had him team up with 2-time finals MVP and 2-time NBA Champion Kawhi Leonard, who is arguably the best two-way player in the league currently with the hope that the two California natives could form a stellar one-two punch and lead the Clippers to their first-ever NBA Championship.

However, after another disappointing season in which the Clippers were eliminated in the first round of the 2023 playoffs by the Phoenix Suns, one in which George did not feature due to a knee injury, the team could be looking to finally move on from the 8-time all-star. Amidst this Lawrence Frank, President of Basketball Operations for the Los Angeles Clippers, met with the media after an uneventful NBA draft for the Clippers and addressed the direction in which the Clippers were heading, going into next season.

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NBA Insider Howard Beck also said that the Clippers are frustrated with how the partnership between George and Leonard has panned out. While the two played great together on the court when they were healthy, their injuries took a major toll on the team’s chances of competing for a championship. He said, “They’re not trying to give him away, but they are trying to pivot, and they do have a franchise-wide frustration with the way that this era has gone.”

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If George isn’t traded, the 2023/24 season could be the final time fans see Leonard and George share the court together. Another priority the Clippers have is to re-sign 2016-17 NBA MVP Russell Westbrook, who showed flashes of brilliance when he was traded to the team last season. Both Leonard and George will be entering the final years of their respective contracts and can opt to become unrestricted free agents after the next season. Despite that, the Clippers want to build a competing roster around the two.

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The focus is still on building a roster around George and Leonard

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Paul George and Kawhi Leonard in a game together (Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press)

Speaking about George and Leonard, the President of Basketball Operations of Clippers said, “What we are trying to do is how can we put together the best team around these guys and we look at the different things. What worked, what hasn’t worked, the job that we have to do better, the job that we challenge our players to continue to do better. But yes, we’re trying to maximize these two and figure out ways that we can get better.”

“Those guys are very determined. They are great workers. We are fortunate. Our two best players, they like, appreciate and respect each other, and their teammates like and respect them. We will continue to do a better job in all areas, how we can get better, and hopefully we get some better fortune that at least we see where we’re at because this is a very competitive league,“ said Frank.

The clock is ticking for the Clippers and the coming season could very well be the last opportunity for George and Leonard to prove to the world that they can remain healthy and finally win a championship together.

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