If Paul George Leaves...

[clippertown]

If George goes to the Spurs or Magic in free agency...

1. Would Harden stay or just try to find a way to get to Houston?

2. Would the Clippers trade Kawhi?

Last off-season I picked the Clippers to implode and become sellers. I ate my crow batter dipped, deep fried, with a good tangy BBQ sauce.

I still think such a scenario is on the board. I think Clippers will be eager to facilitate a sign and trade.
Just as an example CP3 + assets (say Mann, picks) to NOP, McCullum + (ie Looney) to LAC, PG to Warriors.

IDK what is going on with Wiggins, but he could be on the move as well creating room.

CP3 could also be annexed to Detroit to help player/coach that team, perhaps allowed to be released half-way thru the season.

Clippers would not even consider a trade of PG for McCollum + Looney. This is not a situation where PG can leave the team for nothing unless he opts-out, which is highly unlikely. If he extends or opts in, his floor is $150M / 3yrs. If he opts-out and Orlando / Philly / Spurs / OKC decide to go in a cheaper or younger direction, PG could be left without a team under the cap and could be forced into a MLE deal around $10M per year (and no bird rights). I just cannot fathom that PG will go that route, especially considering he will be prohibited from even discussing the matter with those teams prior to his decision on June 29.

If PG want's out from the Clippers, all he needs to do is opt-in and choose his desired team(s). That makes much more sense to me.

As such, the value for PG will not be discounted so steeply as to even entertain the idea of a trade centered around McCollum. The Clippers are looking for a top-tier Power Forward like Randle, Gordon or KAT in exchange for PG13.

[ejftw]

If George goes to the Spurs or Magic in free agency...

1. Would Harden stay or just try to find a way to get to Houston?

2. Would the Clippers trade Kawhi?

Last off-season I picked the Clippers to implode and become sellers. I ate my crow batter dipped, deep fried, with a good tangy BBQ sauce.

I still think such a scenario is on the board. I think Clippers will be eager to facilitate a sign and trade.
Just as an example CP3 + assets (say Mann, picks) to NOP, McCullum + (ie Looney) to LAC, PG to Warriors.

IDK what is going on with Wiggins, but he could be on the move as well creating room.

CP3 could also be annexed to Detroit to help player/coach that team, perhaps allowed to be released half-way thru the season.

Clippers wouldn't include Mann in such scenario

[nykballa2k4]

If George goes to the Spurs or Magic in free agency...

1. Would Harden stay or just try to find a way to get to Houston?

2. Would the Clippers trade Kawhi?

Last off-season I picked the Clippers to implode and become sellers. I ate my crow batter dipped, deep fried, with a good tangy BBQ sauce.

I still think such a scenario is on the board. I think Clippers will be eager to facilitate a sign and trade.
Just as an example CP3 + assets (say Mann, picks) to NOP, McCullum + (ie Looney) to LAC, PG to Warriors.

IDK what is going on with Wiggins, but he could be on the move as well creating room.

CP3 could also be annexed to Detroit to help player/coach that team, perhaps allowed to be released half-way thru the season.

Clippers would not even consider a trade of PG for McCollum + Looney. This is not a situation where PG can leave the team for nothing unless he opts-out, which is highly unlikely. If he extends or opts in, his floor is $150M / 3yrs. If he opts-out and Orlando / Philly / Spurs / OKC decide to go in a cheaper or younger direction, PG could be left without a team under the cap and could be forced into a MLE deal around $10M per year (and no bird rights). I just cannot fathom that PG will go that route, especially considering he will be prohibited from even discussing the matter with those teams prior to his decision on June 29.

If PG want's out from the Clippers, all he needs to do is opt-in and choose his desired team(s). That makes much more sense to me.

As such, the value for PG will not be discounted so steeply as to even entertain the idea of a trade centered around McCollum. The Clippers are looking for a top-tier Power Forward like Randle, Gordon or KAT in exchange for PG13.

Clippers wouldn't include Mann in such scenario

For one thing -- the assumption is that PG walks away for nothing.
The other thing is that idk the exact values of all these pieces. I was considering introducing Ingram into the discussion as well because McCullum and Ingram with Kawhi and Harden sounds like a really powerful team. I just don't know how to get enough value back to the Pels to square that. I like Mann which is why I think he is appealing in a trade, but I don't think he returns Ingram AND McCollum. I could be wrong if with the new CBA the contract is looked at as more prohibitive.

[ejftw]

Last off-season I picked the Clippers to implode and become sellers. I ate my crow batter dipped, deep fried, with a good tangy BBQ sauce.

I still think such a scenario is on the board. I think Clippers will be eager to facilitate a sign and trade.
Just as an example CP3 + assets (say Mann, picks) to NOP, McCullum + (ie Looney) to LAC, PG to Warriors.

IDK what is going on with Wiggins, but he could be on the move as well creating room.

CP3 could also be annexed to Detroit to help player/coach that team, perhaps allowed to be released half-way thru the season.

Clippers would not even consider a trade of PG for McCollum + Looney. This is not a situation where PG can leave the team for nothing unless he opts-out, which is highly unlikely. If he extends or opts in, his floor is $150M / 3yrs. If he opts-out and Orlando / Philly / Spurs / OKC decide to go in a cheaper or younger direction, PG could be left without a team under the cap and could be forced into a MLE deal around $10M per year (and no bird rights). I just cannot fathom that PG will go that route, especially considering he will be prohibited from even discussing the matter with those teams prior to his decision on June 29.

If PG want's out from the Clippers, all he needs to do is opt-in and choose his desired team(s). That makes much more sense to me.

As such, the value for PG will not be discounted so steeply as to even entertain the idea of a trade centered around McCollum. The Clippers are looking for a top-tier Power Forward like Randle, Gordon or KAT in exchange for PG13.

Clippers wouldn't include Mann in such scenario

For one thing -- the assumption is that PG walks away for nothing.
The other thing is that idk the exact values of all these pieces. I was considering introducing Ingram into the discussion as well because McCullum and Ingram with Kawhi and Harden sounds like a really powerful team. I just don't know how to get enough value back to the Pels to square that. I like Mann which is why I think he is appealing in a trade, but I don't think he returns Ingram AND McCollum. I could be wrong if with the new CBA the contract is looked at as more prohibitive.

Didn't see Ingram mentioned at any point until now.

[nykballa2k4]

Clippers would not even consider a trade of PG for McCollum + Looney. This is not a situation where PG can leave the team for nothing unless he opts-out, which is highly unlikely. If he extends or opts in, his floor is $150M / 3yrs. If he opts-out and Orlando / Philly / Spurs / OKC decide to go in a cheaper or younger direction, PG could be left without a team under the cap and could be forced into a MLE deal around $10M per year (and no bird rights). I just cannot fathom that PG will go that route, especially considering he will be prohibited from even discussing the matter with those teams prior to his decision on June 29.

If PG want's out from the Clippers, all he needs to do is opt-in and choose his desired team(s). That makes much more sense to me.

As such, the value for PG will not be discounted so steeply as to even entertain the idea of a trade centered around McCollum. The Clippers are looking for a top-tier Power Forward like Randle, Gordon or KAT in exchange for PG13.

Clippers wouldn't include Mann in such scenario

For one thing -- the assumption is that PG walks away for nothing.
The other thing is that idk the exact values of all these pieces. I was considering introducing Ingram into the discussion as well because McCullum and Ingram with Kawhi and Harden sounds like a really powerful team. I just don't know how to get enough value back to the Pels to square that. I like Mann which is why I think he is appealing in a trade, but I don't think he returns Ingram AND McCollum. I could be wrong if with the new CBA the contract is looked at as more prohibitive.

Didn't see Ingram mentioned at any point until now.

That's because I felt like it was too far off balanced to include him.

Just going to try a 3rd version (probably going to be terrible, but along the same logic)

PG, Tucker to Warrriors (56M incoming) - Warriors try to retian Klay at a discount, one last ride.
Wiggins + picks(from GS) to Miami (24M incoming) - Miami takes a chance, Wiggins can play on both ends rather that Herroball
Ingram, McCollum to LAC (70M incoming) - stronger starting 5. One of the best offenses in the league.
CP3, Herro, Mann (68M incoming) - Prodigal son returns, helps develop two combo guards like he did SGA.

The hardest part, IMO of the PG to Warriors thing is what to do with Wiggins. Last season he was missing. 2022 he was an all-star.
If Wiggins were near-allstar level, then the 2 for 2 trade would be perfectly logical.

[daoneandonly]

Interesting question. As offensively potent as Harden has been, and he's been one of the best ever, not sure if there's much of a market for him at this juncture