Sometimes in the NBA, the best trade is the one that didn’t happen.
That certainly appears to be the case for the Golden State Warriors, who, according to Tim Kawakami of The San Francisco Standard, nearly acquired nine-time All-Star Paul George last summer in a blockbuster trade with the Los Angeles Clippers. Not only that, but Kawakami adds that the Warriors would’ve signed George to a five-year contract worth “more than $200 million” if they’d landed “PG-13.”
The sports columnist adds that, while Golden State wasn’t close to picking up Utah Jazz star forward Lauri Markkanen last summer, the team was pursuing him as well.
“They came close to trading several players to the LA Clippers for George and giving him a five-year deal worth more than $200 million,” Kawakami wrote. “They never came that close to an agreement with Utah to acquire Markkanen and pay him more than $200 million, but the Warriors tried. Back then, they actually thought they might be able to acquire both players — and yes, pay them a combined $450 million or so.”
Based on what transpired with George (and to a lesser degree Markkanen) during the 2024-25 season, it certainly seems that Warriors fans should be breathing a sigh of relief that their efforts came up short.
Warriors Dodged a Huge Bullet by Not Acquiring Multiple Stars Last Summer
Kawakami explained why Golden State dodged a bullet by not acquiring George or Markkanen.
“The Warriors’ thinking now on that whole endeavor? Whew. PG13 struggled through one of the worst seasons of his career in Philadelphia and likely will not be worth anything close to the $51.7 million he’s due next season, $54.1 million due in 2026-27, and $56.6 million due in 2027-28, his age-38 season. And Markkanen had a middling performance last season — and is due $46.4 million next season, $46.1 million in 2026-27, $49.8 million in ’27-28, and, $53.5 million in ’28-29,” he wrote. “The Warriors basically switched (Jimmy) Butler into the financial and trade-asset slot they would’ve used for George. And they will see which other stretch-5s are available at far cheaper prices than Markkanen. But the Warriors also believe that Quinten Post might grow into a very productive shooting center — and could be their starting center next season.”
Though George’s nine All-Star, six All-NBA and four All-Defensive team honors will likely land him in the Hall of Fame someday, the 2024-25 campaign was one to forget.
The 35-year-old signed with the Philadelphia 76ers in July but was limited to 41 games during the regular season (the third-fewest in his career). Along with former MVP Joel Embiid (19 games), George was one of the key reasons why the Sixers finished the year as one of the most disappointing teams in the league.
The former 10th overall draft pick’s 16.2 points per game was his lowest average in 10 years and his .430/.358/.814 shooting line was well below his career numbers as well.
Markkanen spent four seasons with the Chicago Bulls and one with the Cleveland Cavaliers to open his career, before being traded to the Jazz in September 2022 in the blockbuster deal that sent Donovan Mitchell to the Cavs.
The Finnish 2017 draft pick had his best season in 2022-23, averaging a career-high 25.6 points and adding 8.6 rebounds per tilt, while his .499 field goal percentage was the best of his career as well. Markkanen made his only All-Star team that season and was named the Most Improved Player of the Year and was solid again in 2023-24, posting 23.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.
He took a step back this past season, averaging 19.0 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists with a career-worst .423 field goal percentage across a career-low 47 games.
‘Two Things’ Make it ‘Very Unlikely’ Kevin Durant Rejoins Golden State This Offseason
Kawakami also gave an update on the never-ending Kevin Durant trade rumors, and whether the Warriors were still a possible landing spot.
It was reported late in the regular season that Golden State had a trade package lined up to reacquire KD in February before he reportedly made it known he didn’t want to return to the Bay Area.
Now, Kawakami says, it’s looking doubtful that the former MVP would return to the team he helped win two championships.
“(Joe Lacob’s) Warriors are always interested in Durant. I’m sure they checked in again recently. If you’re drawing up a list of players who can maximize the final years of Curry’s prime, Durant’s name remains at the top of the list. And KD is likely to be traded before next week’s draft,” he wrote. “But two things make it very unlikely that the Warriors will be the team that ends up with Durant this time: 1) Durant still doesn’t want to do the Warriors thing again and the Warriors understand how sour it can get when he’s unhappy; 2) The Warriors pivoted to Jimmy Butler when they couldn’t get Durant last winter and Butler’s happy here, he fit in tremendously, and messing around with that chemistry doesn’t seem like the wisest play.”
Among the many teams that Durant has been linked to the most this spring have been the Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves and San Antonio Spurs.
