Could The Miami Heat Be A Destination For Paul George?
The Miami Heat could be a great fit for Paul George if he is on the move this offseason.
George has a $48.8 million player option for next season. The Los Angeles Clippers have made attempts to extend George, but a new agreement has yet to be reached.
“Keep an eye on Paul George, by the way,” Senior NBA Columnist for The Athletic, John Hollinger, wrote in an article Monday that highlights possible upcoming shake-ups across the league. “Presumably, if there was a max extension sitting around for him, he would have signed it by now; I think it’s fair to say a couple of cap-room teams in the East are, um, ‘monitoring’ this.”
George has played with the Clippers for the past five seasons, averaging 23 points, six rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.5 steals. He's made three All-Star games.
His versatility and skills would fit well with many teams, but the Heat’s necessity for a star wing and a variety of trade assets put them as a prime destination.
George could upgrade the Heat, especially if they are bounced early this postseason and looking for a roster shake-up. George would take offensive pressure off of the Heat’s other stars. He would also provide consistent 3-point shooting and solid defense.
But how could George end up with the Heat? Tyler Herro and Jaime Jaquez Jr. both are young players with trade value who could go back to the Clippers in a possible trade. Herro’s salary combined with Duncan Robinson’s contract would nearly match George’s player option, meaning the money aspect of the deal could easily be sorted out.
Even if George is signed to an extension, there is still no guarantee he won’t be moved or have a similar cap hit. The Clippers may struggle to find the money needed to extend George as the team already features the second-highest payroll in the NBA.
The possibility of a Paul George move may pick up steam as the summer approaches. The Heat would certainly be a contender for George's services if he is looking for a new challenge.
Casey Fahrer is a contributor to Inside The Heat. He can be reached at caseyfahrer716@gmail.com.
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