Right before Paul George made a commitment to the 76ers, rumors were circulating about a possible arrangement to move him to the Warriors, and he has straightforwardly addressed this situation.
The highly respected nine-time All-Star would have been a substantial addition for Golden State, who are evidently searching for a vital player to bolster their prospects for a championship, complementing the likes of Steph Curry.
It appears that the rumors were indeed true, and the Warriors were actively vying for George to become a part of their team according to his own acknowledgment.
“That was a realistic scenario that was very close to materializing,” George revealed during an interview on the Podcast P with Paul George. “The talks had progressed significantly from what I gathered, underscoring their strong interest in having me on their roster, emphasizing how well I could have clicked with Draymond [Green], Steph [Curry], [Brandin] Podziemski, [Jonathan] Kuminga, [Andrew] Wiggins. They were uncertain regarding the exact details of the trade package that would secure my move.
“[Kevon] Looney was also included in the potential deal, making it extremely enticing and a chance to stay near home, staying on the West Coast. It seemed like a mutually advantageous opportunity. I admire Steph’s exceptional skill, being a standout performer, and [Joel Embiid’s] as well…So it presented an appealing situation to be part of, but ultimately, the trade did not happen. I believe the Clippers hesitated over a specific trade that the Warriors were willing to present, leading to the collapse of the agreement. It was a close call.”
PG-13 chose to join Philly to create a formidable trio with Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. The 76ers also secured the services of Andre Drummond and Caleb Martin in free agency, thereby swiftly reducing their available salary cap space.
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