Look… I know this isn’t going to happen, but imagine this scenario which may not be too far away for the Clippers.
The window for the Clippers to make a title run is going to close if Kawhi’s “knee management” issues don’t begin to get better. The writing will be on the wall for him, for the Clippers, and for Paul George. The Clippers may need to recognize that now is the time to cash out and start a rebuild while they’re saddled with Kawhi’s contract.
Paul may have winning in mind and looking for the opportunity to move on. He is completely a Southern California kid, but he may not be against an opportunity in a familiar place. If other contenders can’t put together a package for Paul, the Pacers might be able to.
They’ll also have the pieces around him to be the best Pacers lineup he’s ever had. Picture the starting five of Myles Turner (contract extension needed), Paul George, Bennedict Mathurin, Buddy Hield, and Tyrese Haliburton. That has firepower that would make them an instant contender in the East.
If the Pacers are going to cash in at some point for a one or two year window to really make a run at a title, this is an option. You’d also have the core four of George, Turner, Haliburton, and Mathurin locked up through 2025 just by extending Turner and giving Tyrese his new deal as he’s a restricted free agent. Once George’s contract is done, much of that shifts to Mathurin and you build from there.
For the Clippers, the rebuild is on as they make this trade and move other veteran pieces to stockpile picks, waiting for salary space to clear from Leonard’s contract. Key pieces in this are two young building blocks in Jalen Smith and Chris Duarte, then four first round picks. Not many teams can offer better rebuild packages than that. Ownership also saves millions off their future luxury tax bills.
It would be a hell of a storyline for Paul George to return to Indy and play for a contender, as he should want in this stage of his career. He’d be loved by Pacers fans forever if he and this core could deliver a title.