Paul George’s trade to the Warriors was ‘close to being done’

The Golden State Warriors reportedly had an interest in acquiring Paul George from the LA Clippers at the start of free agency. George had a player option for the upcoming season but was expected to decline the option to hit unrestricted free agency. Once he opted out, the Warriors’ chances of bringing him to the Bay Area evaporated. As such, he joined the Philadelphia 76ers.

During a recent episode of “Podcast P with Paul George,” the veteran All-Star discussed the potential deal with Golden State, confirming that it came close to going through, only for the Clippers to decline the Warriors trade offer. 

“That was a real thing that was close to being done,” George said. “That deal was close to being done from what I was being told on the situation, they was expressing just how much they wanted me there, how I could have fit in perfectly with Draymond (Green), Steph (Curry). (Brandin) Podziemski, (Jonathan) Kuminga, (Andrew) Wiggins. They didn’t know how or what package was going to be there to trade for me… I think Clippers didn’t want a certain trade deal that Warriors were willing to give and yeah, it just didn’t happen, but it was close…It’d been dope, man. I was looking forward to it, if it happened.”

Acquiring George would have positioned the Warriors to contend for a championship next season. He would have been the perfect addition to help re-tool the roster following Klay Thompson’s decision to join the Dallas Mavericks. 

Unfortunately for Golden State, the deal didn’t materialize. Still, they did an admirable job in pivoting to acquire Kyle Anderson, De’Anthony Melton, Buddy Hield and Lindy Waters III.