Insider: Warriors prepared to offer Paul George max contract

Could Paul George be Stephen Curry's next superstar running mate?

According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, the Warriors are prepared to offer George a four-year max contract if he opts into his $48.8M player option and asks the Clippers to trade him to Golden State.

Speaking on ESPN's "Get Up" on Wednesday, Winhorst reported the Clippers were willing to offer George "three years at a little bit less than the max" — the same deal they gave Kawhi Leonard earlier this year (three years, $152 million). However, George has been adamant about the fourth year, causing a standoff between him and the Steve Ballmer-owned franchise.

"Paul George, frankly, wants for years. He wants a full-out max and there are a number of teams out there, I am told, that are prepared to give it to him, who are prepared to trade for him," Windhorst said. "One of those teams, potentially, is up the coast in Golden State."

The cap-strapped Warriors can acquire George only via trade, potentially shipping out Andrew Wiggins or Chris Paul's non-guaranteed contract.

George has until June 29 to exercise his player option for the 2024-25 season. By declining it, the two-way wing would have two options: re-sign with the Clippers or sign as a free agent with a team with cap space.

Essentially, the Warriors' best shot of acquiring George is if he chooses to opt in and ask for a trade. In 2017, the cap-strapped Rockets similarly acquired Chris Paul. A sign-and-trade is less feasible since the Clippers may not want to take on certain Warriors contracts.  

Earlier this year, Warriors governor Joe Lacob said his franchise intends to cut back on its expenses after spending $384 million in the 2023-24 season just to finish 10th in the conference. 

A potential George trade would signal a shift in that mindset, something front-office head Mike Dunleavy Jr. hinted at in a news conference on Tuesday. The Warriors could go all in again to maximize 36-year-old Curry's waning window.