Warriors 'resisted' Clippers' attempt to acquire budding star in potential Paul George trade

As badly as the Golden State Warriors may have wanted to acquire Paul George via sign-and-trade from the Los Angeles Clippers, it wasn't enough for them to part with Jonathan Kuminga.

Kuminga, who had a breakout season in 2023-24, was reportedly what the Clippers targeted in a counteroffer for George, but the Warriors "resisted" moving the 21-year-old, according to ESPN insider Ramona Shelburne .

According to the report, Golden State was also wary that George wouldn't be as interested in joining the franchise if it gave up too much in the deal.

"The Warriors offered multiple combinations of expiring contracts, young players and an unprotected 2027 first-round pick, sources said. The Clippers countered by asking for prized youngster Jonathan Kuminga, sources said. The Warriors resisted because Kuminga is so important to their own future, sources said, but also because they worried George wouldn't be as interested in joining them if they gave up too much to get him," Shelburne stated.

While the report doesn't cite which young players the Warriors offered, it does state that the two sides were close at times and that it "seemed the teams might reach a deal" at several points.

As we know now, nothing came to fruition, and George agreed to terms on a four-year, $212 million max contract with the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency.

It's unknown whether a deal sending George to the Bay Area would have come together had the Warriors included Kuminga, but it certainly sounds like a possibility.

Regardless, we'll likely never know the answer to that question. Following Klay Thompson's departure via sign-and-trade to the Dallas Mavericks, the Warriors now find themselves in a tough spot ahead of the 2024-25 season.