The Golden State Warriors are reportedly prepared to supply Paul George a four-year max contract in free company.

“So far, the Clippers have solely been prepared to supply Paul George about what they gave Kawhi Leonard,” ESPN’s Brian Windhorst stated Wednesday on Get Up (h/t RealGM). “Three years at a little bit bit lower than the max contract, and Paul George, frankly, needs 4 years. He needs a full out max and there are a variety of groups on the market, I’m informed, which are ready to present it to him, who’re ready to commerce for him. A kind of groups, doubtlessly, is up the coast in Golden State.”

George is proscribed to a four-year max contract—each with the Clippers and another group—as a result of NBA’s age-38 rule. The Warriors must attain a sign-and-trade settlement with the Clippers with a purpose to realistically land George.

Golden State’s salary-cap state of affairs is difficult, which makes its pursuit of George nearer to a Hail Mary than a actuality. Warriors proprietor Joe Lacob has expressed an curiosity to duck underneath the posh tax, which might require waiving Chris Paul or permitting Klay Thompson to stroll in free company.

The previous seems way more possible given the Warriors’ very public stance on wanting to maintain Thompson. If the Warriors make a transfer for George, they’d most certainly have to ensure Paul’s contract and embody him as a part of a commerce, ending Thompson’s time in Golden State.

Golden State can’t full any sign-and-trade settlement if it is above the primary tax apron. The brand new CBA’s extremely restrictive guidelines for groups above the apron make any kind of commerce appear unlikely.

Barring another unlikely cost-cutting strikes, resembling doubtlessly buying and selling Draymond Inexperienced, including George and re-signing Thompson is a digital impossibility.