Just because the Warriors live in the eye of the storm of speculation doesn’t mean that all assumptions are a cry into the ether. There are occasions when there is heat behind the chatter.
Such is the case with Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George.
The Warriors, like the rest of the NBA, consider George a top-25 talent and a top-five winger. Moreover, at 34, the 6-foot-8, 225-pound forward fits Golden State’s instant-win approach, the goal of which is to maximize what remains of franchise player Stephen Curry’s prime.
The Warriors always have a roster of impact players who, if available, they would explore pursuing. That list included the likes of Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Chris Paul and George.
Rumors of Golden State’s potential interest in George have circulated for weeks and gained more momentum Wednesday in the wake of veteran ESPN reporter Brian Windhorst’s comments.
Multiple league sources contacted by NBC Sports Bay Area on Wednesday confirmed Golden State’s interest — and willingness to pursue a max contract extension with George — while also noting several circumstances that could prevent the vision from becoming a reality.
What are the conditions? First, George will have to exercise his option for the final year of his current contract ($48.8 million), providing Los Angeles with a sign-and-trade option. Second, both the Warriors and Clippers would have to drop below the 2nd Division, which can’t happen before Sunday afternoon, when Klay Thompson and James Harden become free agents. Third, Paul must make it clear that he wants to leave Los Angeles, where his close family can attend every game.
Fourth, and most important, the Clippers must decide not only that they are willing to trade George, but also trade him to a Western Conference contender like the Warriors.
Those obstacles may have been on Golden State general manager Mike Dunleavy’s mind Monday when he noted the difficulty of making trades in today’s NBA.
“I’m calling everyone, but if the player is not available and there is no price, then a swap deal cannot be done,” Dunleavy said.
“We’ve got to be realistic, and I don’t want to like something or pressure it or overdo it. We’ve got to have some patience while at the same time being mindful of kind of that time horizon that we have with Steph and Draymond (Green) and hopefully Klay.
“As these guys get a little older, we have to be aware that at some point they’re not at the level to compete for a championship. I don’t think that’s either (soon). But at some point, it might be the case.” it will be.”
That’s why George, as an immediate upgrade, is so attractive — regardless of Thompson’s decision.
“He wants the full max, and there are a number of teams out there, I’ve been told, willing to give him that, willing to trade him,” Windhorst, in a clip from “Get Up,” said of George. “One of those teams is probably down the coast in Golden State.
“Golden State is fishing for big fish. Remember, last trade deadline, they called about LeBron James. They’re sniffing out big deals. If Paul George is willing to leave, they’d like to be an option for him.”
This was said a day after New Orleans guard CJ McCollum, appearing on another ESPN panel, suggested the Warriors would be a desirable destination if George was willing to leave Los Angeles.
“Can you imagine it, Steve Woodray,” McCollum said. “together?”
It was imagined by warriors, always shooting for the moon. They loved it enough to explore, even though they knew it would be extremely difficult to make it a reality.
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