The New York Knicks could be a potential landing spot for nine-time NBA All-Star forward Paul George if he and the Los Angeles Clippers fail to agree on an extension, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
“Another reliable source advised me to keep the Knicks on the list as a potential suitor for George if the All-NBA swingman does indeed opt into the final season of his current contract at $48.8 million. This step would allow George to push for a trade to another team,” Stein wrote on June 23.
George and the Clippers have yet to work out a new deal less than a week before the June 29 deadline for the star forward to pick up or decline his $48.8 million player option.
The sticking point in the negotiation between the two sides is the Clippers’ reluctance to “extend George for a longer or richer deal than Kawhi Leonard’s recent three-year contract extension in the $150 million range,” Stein added.
While Leonard is the biggest star based on their resume, George is the longest-tenured player.
The 34-year-old George is coming off his ninth All-Star season, averaging 22.6 points on still-elite 47/41/91 shooting, adding 5.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.2 steals in 74 games, the most he has played since joining the Clippers.