Paul George, Warriors had mutual interest in trade [report]

The Warriors were in on Paul George. And George, it appears, was in on joining the Warriors. The only team out that arrangement? The Los Angeles Clippers.

George opted out of his $48.8 million player option, meaning the Warriors effectively have no way to acquire him. He is set to be a free agent, shifting his market perhaps towards the Philadelphia 76ers or a return home. But before that decision was made, a trade to Golden State was on the table.

Per The Athletic's Tim Kawakami, the Warriors and George had mutual interest in a deal.

“The Warriors had agreed to give George a max, four-year extension upon arrival," Kawakami wrote. "They believed they had proposed several variations of a trade that the Clippers could and would accept. Stephen Curry and Draymond Green were 100 percent on board. George gave strong indications he wanted to join the Warriors. But the Clippers never agreed to any version of a trade, and now George is a free agent and essentially beyond the Warriors’ reach.”

Now, the Warriors are looking to do a sign-and-trade deal with Klay Thompson, who, The Athletic reported Saturday, is set to leave the Warriors. The Clippers, Lakers and Mavericks were all mentioned by Shams Charania and Anthony Slater as strong suitors.