The Los Angeles Clippers undoubtedly aim to maintain the dynamic duo of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard for the foreseeable future.
While the Los Angeles Clippers may not currently be viewed as championship favorites with their star-studded roster, keeping the tandem of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard intact remains their primary goal for the future. However, recent developments suggest that this may not be as straightforward as they hope. George holds a player option for the upcoming season, and indications point towards him declining it to explore free agency.
Speculations abound that the Philadelphia 76ers are eyeing George in free agency, posing a potential challenge for the Clippers’ plans. Should George depart, the Clippers would find themselves in need of another star player to complement Leonard, particularly if James Harden also opts for free agency.
One intriguing possibility mentioned by Michael Scotto of HoopsHype is a sign-and-trade deal involving DeMar DeRozan from the Chicago Bulls. However, executing such a trade would require the Clippers to adhere to the NBA’s salary tax apron regulations, which could pose logistical hurdles given George’s max contract coming off the books.
DeRozan could offer a solid alternative for the Clippers, bringing his scoring prowess and versatility to the team. In the previous NBA season, the 34-year-old showcased his abilities by averaging 24.0 points, along with 4.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists, while shooting an impressive 48% from the field.
Yet, the key question remains: What assets could the Clippers offer to entice the Bulls into a sign-and-trade for DeRozan? With no future first-round picks at their disposal, negotiating such a deal might prove challenging for Los Angeles.
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