Does this trade make sense for the LA Clippers?
When evaluating this particular trade, it’s vital to take into considering the context in which it’s being constructed for as a whole. Again, Kawhi Leonard would be staying with the LA Clippers after reaching NBA free agency and would need to first give permission to the organization to make such a trade that would send his co-star, Paul George, to a new team.
READ MORE: NBA Rumors: This Clippers-Spurs offseason trade sends DeMar DeRozan to L.A.
It’s too early to know how the Clippers’ playoff run is going to end. As of the time of writing this, they face a 2-1 series deficit entering Game 4 of the series. If they were to fail to even reach the Western Conference Finals for a second season, it’s logical to entertain making changes to the roster.
Trading away Paul George just doesn’t seem like the answer to the Clippers’ problems. While he does have a bad shooting game in the playoffs here and there, he’s still dynamic and very helpful to the team’s success.
If Paul George were to be traded, it would need to be for a more impactful talent than CJ McCollum. Being able to switch everything against the Dallas Mavericks was possible in part due to having George. That goes away by swapping a wing defender in favor of a defensive liability guard.
The bet would need to be that CJ McCollum would be able to be so impactful as a shot maker in the playoffs that he is more valuable when it matters most. That just doesn’t appear to be in the cards. Now, if it were Damian Lillard…that’s a different story, but also, isn’t an option.