NBA Rumors: Bulls’ DeMar DeRozan Linked to Clippers amid Paul George Trade Buzz

Doric SamJune 26, 2024

Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images

If the Los Angeles Clippers end up losing Paul George this offseason, the team reportedly would have a chance to fill the hole on their roster with another star player.

K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports reported on Wednesday that the Clippers could be a “potential” destination for Chicago Bulls veteran shooting guard DeMar DeRozan if George parts ways with Los Angeles.

DeRozan is set to become an unrestricted free agent after spending the last three seasons with the Bulls. The Los Angeles native could be open to playing closer to home at this stage in his career, and he would be a strong consolation prize for the Clippers if George departs the team.

George has the choice of declining his player option to test the open market or opting into the $48.8 million option for the 2024-25 season and forcing Los Angeles to trade him elsewhere. He has been seeking a max contract extension from the Clippers, but the team has not shown much interest in meeting his demands.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst explained the situation on Wednesday’s episode of Get Up, stating that multiple teams would be willing to give George a max extension, and that could influence him to force his way out of Los Angeles.

“To this point, the Clippers have only been willing to offer Paul George about what they gave Kawhi Leonard,” Windhorst said (h/t RealGM). “Three years at a little bit less than the max contract, and Paul George, frankly, wants four years. He wants a full-out max and there are a number of teams out there, I am told, that are prepared to give it to him, who are prepared to trade for him.”

If the Clippers are unwilling to sign George to a max deal, perhaps their best course would be to recoup assets in exchange for the nine-time All-Star. Adding DeRozan would help Los Angeles maintain its status as a title contender next season.