Paul George appeals to Warriors, but acquiring him will be difficult – NBC Sports Bay Area & California

Just because the Warriors live in the eye of the storm doesn’t mean all guesses are cries into the ether. There are occasions when there is warmth behind the chatter.

This is the case of Los Angeles Clippers star Paul George.

The Warriors, like the rest of the NBA, view George as a top-25 talent and a top-five two-way wing. Additionally, at 34 years old, the 6-foot-8, 225-pound forward fits the win-now approach Golden State is committed to, with the goal being to maximize franchise player Stephen Curry’s remaining bounty. .

The Warriors still have a list of impact players they would consider pursuing if they became available. That list includes Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Chris Paul and George.

Rumors about Golden State’s potential interest in George have been circulating for weeks and gained traction Wednesday following comments from veteran ESPN reporter Brian Windhorst.

Multiple league sources contacted by NBC Sports Bay Area on Wednesday confirmed Golden State’s interest — and willingness to pursue a max contract extension with George — while citing numerous circumstances that could prevent the vision from becoming a reality.

What are the circumstances? First, George is expected to exercise his option for the final year of his current contract ($48.8 million), giving Los Angeles a sign-and-trade option. Second, the Warriors and Clippers are expected to move below the second apron, which can’t happen until Sunday afternoon, when Klay Thompson and James Harden become free agents. Third, Paul should make it clear that he is willing to leave Los Angeles, where his neighboring family can attend every game.

Fourth, and most importantly, the Clippers should decide not only are they willing to trade George, but also to trade him to a Western Conference contender like the Warriors.

Those obstacles may well have been on Golden State general manager Mike Dunleavy’s mind Monday when he outlined the difficulty of making trades in today’s NBA.

“I call everyone, but if the player is not available and there is no price, then no trade can be made,” Dunleavy said.

“We have to be realistic, and I don’t want to like, push and do too much. We have to have a little patience while recognizing the time horizon we have with Steph and Draymond (Green) and hopefully Klay.

“As these guys get a little bit older, we have to be aware that at some point they’re not at the level to compete for a championship. I don’t think it’s too much (soon). But at some point , it probably will be.”

That’s why George, as an immediate improvement, is so appealing – whatever Thompson decides.

“He wants a full max, and there are a number of teams, I’m told, that are willing to give it to him, that are willing to trade for him,” Windhorst, in a segment of “Get Up,” George said. “One of those teams is potentially down the coast in Golden State.

“Golden State is about chasing big fish. Remember, at the last trade deadline they called about LeBron James. They smell big deals. If Paul George is ready to leave, they would like to be an option for him. »

This was said a day after New Orleans guard CJ McCollum, appearing on another ESPN panel, suggested the Warriors as a desirable destination if George was ready to leave LA.

“Could you imagine it, Steph, Dray,” McCollum said. “Together?”

The warriors, always searching for the moon, have imagined it. They love it enough to explore it, even though they know it would be extremely difficult to make it a reality.

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