According to the latest NBA rumors, the Los Angeles Lakers are expected to be one of the more active teams across the league ahead of the trade deadline. Multiple reports have the Lakers bringing in a durable center and adding another star player to pair alongside LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
NBA Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers Could Trade D’Angelo Russell, Two First-Round Picks To Philadelphia 76ers For Paul George
ClutchPoints writer Anthony Irwin proposed a mock trade that would send Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George to the Lakers. George, who is currently in his 14th season, remains out with a hyperextended left knee. The nine-time All-Star has appeared in only eight games with the Sixers.
Check out Irwin’s mock trade proposal below.
Lakers receive: Paul George
76ers receive: Guard D’Angelo Russell, forward Rui Hachimura, forward Gabe Vincent, forward Cam Reddish, a 2029 first-round draft pick, and a 2031 first-round draft pick
The biggest losses for Los Angeles would be losing Russell and two first-round draft picks. The Lakers would be putting all their eggs in one basket for injury-prone George.
Although George would be one of the Lakers’ most talented scoring wings and defensive players, he struggles to stay healthy, and his offensive production isn’t what it used to be — at least not this season thus far.
Through eight games (all starts), George has averaged 14.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, a career-high 2.3 steals, and 28.9 minutes per contest while shooting 38.3% from the field, 27.8% from 3-point range, and 81.5% at the free throw line.
George Signed A Four-Year, $212 Million Deal With The Sixers In The Offseason
Coming off an injury at 34 years old, it’s difficult for anyone to say in good faith that George will play better and won’t get injured again. Otherwise, such a trade would only favor the 76ers.
During the offseason, George joined the Sixers on a four-year, $212 million deal. His contract includes a 15% trade bonus and a 2027-28 player option that is worth $56.58 million.
In other words, the reward does not outweigh the risks for this particular trade.
Philadelphia Inquirer journalist Gina Mizell reported Tuesday that George is “going through a post-practice workout with coaches, wearing a sleeve/tights on his leg,” and it appears he’s sporting a bulky brace on his knee underneath.
When asked how that knee brace feels, George replied, “Not great. But at this point, [I will] do whatever it takes to kind of return to the guys and give that knee some sort of protection.”
Last season, which could have been an anomaly, was George’s first campaign with 70-plus appearances since 2018-19 with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The 15-year veteran played in only 48 games in 2019-20, 54 contests in 2020-21, just 31 games in 2021-22, and 56 contests in 2022-23.
With the Los Angeles Clippers in 2023-24, he averaged 22.6 points per game on career bests of 47.1% shooting from the floor, 41.3% from deep, and 90.7% at the foul line.
