Should the Celtics trade for free-agent-to-be Paul George?
Debate the answer with Chad Finn and Boston sports fans at The Sports Q.
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Should the Celtics trade for Paul George, even if he ends up being a one-year rental? There’s a chance they could convince him this is the place to stay right? – Bill M.
In a vacuum, absolutely. He’s one of the, what, top half-dozen players in the league? Just in terms of upgrading the talent on the roster, it makes an enormous amount of sense. Trade for Paul George! He’s good!
Of course, there are at least a couple of enormous variables at play here. First, you don’t know what it would cost. By telling the Pacers that he’s leaving at the end of the season, he’s done them no favors. They almost have to move him now, and they probably have to move him at a discounted rate.
But what is that rate? I haven’t heard any indication of the picks and players it would cost the Celtics, even last night as rumors were percolating that the two teams were deep in talks on a deal.
I’d hope they could swing it without giving up next year’s Brooklyn pick, Jayson Tatum, or Jaylen Brown. I wonder if the T-Wolves’ heist of Jimmy Butler for two flawed guards and a first-round swap lowers the price for George even more. Imagine we’ll know for sure in the next few days.
The other major variable is that he’s a rental, at least for now. He’s made it clear he wants to go to the Lakers and live the Hollywood life, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he already has discussed uniting there with LeBron “I’ve Never Been On A Super Team” James.
If the Celtics traded for him, they would be counting on George falling in love with the current culture of the team, that he’d enjoy playing for Brad Stevens in a winning situation that is trending upward. From afar, he doesn’t seem to be someone who will be swayed by that; fame matters to him. But it’s worth the risk, if the price is reasonable. Hey, the Pacers are dealing him somewhere. Might as well be here.
But what do you think. Do you want to see the Celtics trade for Paul George? Or is he too much of a flight risk in free agency? I’ll see you in the comments.
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