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Grade the trade: Golden State Warriors acquire 8-time All-Star in latest mock deal

By Peter O'Keefe

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 28: Paul George #13 of the Los Angeles Clippers passes under pressure from Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Golden State Warriors during the second half at Staples Center on November 28, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 28: Paul George #13 of the Los Angeles Clippers passes under pressure from Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Golden State Warriors during the second half at Staples Center on November 28, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors shoots over Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers in the first half at Chase Center on March 02, 2023. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors shoots over Paul George #13 of the LA Clippers in the first half at Chase Center on March 02, 2023. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Paul George would solidify the Warriors’ win-now approach

While the addition of Chris Paul may have cost the Warriors Jordan Poole and youngsters Patrick Baldwin Jr. and Ryan Rollins, the franchise have so far retained core elements of their future in 2021 lottery picks Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody.

Trading for an All-Star closer to their prime, like George, would take a lot more than what Golden State gave up for Paul. It would solidify the franchise’s win-now approach given it would eliminate their only significant remaining young assets.

Here’s how Bleacher Report sees the trade:

It’s important to note that this deal couldn’t go down until early September. Having only recently been acquired by the Warriors, Paul cannot be traded with other players until two months has passed.

For the success-starved Clippers, it would be about resetting their future while also maintaining their potential in the short-term. No one’s arguing that Paul is a better player than George at this point, but a return back to Los Angeles would see them gain a consistent, playmaking guard they’ve desperately been trying to find over recent years.

Kuminga is the biggest piece in this, which is actually quite ironic given his potential has garnered comparisons to George previously. It’s unlikely the former seventh overall pick ever reaches George’s peak, but nonetheless he’s a talented two-way forward yearning for more opportunity.

Perhaps the biggest question mark is whether Los Angeles would be willing to send one of their star players to not only a Western Conference rival, but also one in the same division. Let’s assume they do agree to it – do the Warriors?

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