Paul George (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Clippers superstar Paul George is one of the top names to monitor on the trade market in the coming weeks.

Paul George just finished his fifth season with a Clippers team that once again fell short of expectations, having been eliminated by the Dallas Mavericks in the opening round of the postseason.

The future Hall of Famer is widely expected to opt out of his contract, allowing him to test free agency or secure a more lucrative long-term deal from the Clippers. If George wants to leave LA, the perfect scenario for them would be a sign-and-trade deal to ensure they get something in return.

Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes proposed a blockbuster trade idea that has LA trading the 34-year-old Paul George to the New York Knicks in a deal centered around Julius Randle and multiple draft selections:

“George could fetch the Clips some combination of Julius Randle, Miles McBride and/or Mitchell Robinson, plus multiple future first-rounders. If that package seems underwhelming, it’s because the Clippers won’t be in a strong negotiating position. George can leave for nothing in free agency if he wants.

Still a top-end wing defender and facilitator at his position, George would bring much-needed length and versatility to New York’s rotation while also giving Jalen Brunson a running mate capable of captaining the offense once in a while. There’d be risk here with George heading into his age-34 season, but the Knicks need the talent and star-power upgrades he’d provide.”

The Knicks finished as the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference and fell one game short of the final four, losing to the Indiana Pacers in seven games as injuries to key players quickly piled up.

New York is one of the few teams that could realistically compete with the Boston Celtics for the conference crown next year. Perhaps a two-way superstar like George would be the final piece needed to help the Knicks reach their first NBA Finals since 1999.

There Will Be Competition For Paul George

Even if the Knicks are significantly interested in the perennial All-Star, they are not guaranteed to win the sweepstakes.

The Philadelphia 76ers have been widely reported as a top player for the nine-time All-Star as well. The Orlando Magic have the cap space to make a big move to help their young core, while some wonder if he’d return to the Oklahoma City Thunder following their re-emergence as a contender.

But if the Knicks could somehow land the 34-year-old, they would cement themselves as a legitimate threat to Boston and Milwaukee in the East.