NBA Rumors: The Four Best Possible Destinations For Paul George, If He Leaves Indiana
LA Clippers?
Don’t laugh this off just yet. The Clippers have had their trio of superstars for the better half of this decade and haven’t made it past the conference semifinals. Something isn’t working.
Blake Griffin, who has battled injuries and more since arriving from the Oklahoma Sooners in 2010, has been rumored to be on the way out for some time. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent after the 2017 season.
The Clips have the entirety of their core hitting the open market, including Griffin. In other words, Chris Paul, J.J. Redick, DeAndre Jordan (player option) and every small forward on the roster will be hitting free agency over the next two seasons.
Their two current small forwards, Paul Pierce and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, will both be free agents too. Pierce will be retired and Mbah a Moute isn’t irreplaceable. A void at small forward will be calling George’s name.
Part of if not all of Lob City may be separated. The most sensible thing for the Clippers would be to let Reddick and/or Griffin walk in order to sign George. He’d unquestionably be the most dynamic player on the roster and could alleviate pressure on Chris Paul, the one pure ball handler in the starting lineup.
The Clippers haven’t had a dynamic small forward at any time as part of their core. Say George comes to LA. Paul and Jordan keep Lob City alive while Griffin and Redick find greener pastures elsewhere. Austin Rivers or Jamal Crawford can step up and replace Redick at shooting guard.
Power forward will remain a mystery for now, as the Clippers will find a way to sign a power forward or maybe draft one in the next few years. Whoever they bring in won’t be on Blake Griffin’s level, but the sacrifice for George will pay dividends.
However, in a league in which smaller, faster teams are the most successful, the Clippers will fit the bill as well as anyone. A Clippers lineup featuring Chris Paul, Paul George and DeAndre Jordan would be the scariest lineup in the history of the franchise. Looks like George going to the Clippers isn’t so insane after all.