Paul George's Father Admits They Thought About Going To The Lakers This Offseason

George Sr. revealed that there was genuine interest in taking his son's talents to the Lakers, especially after feeling disrespected by the Clippers during contract negotiations. He believed that his son had given everything to the team and deserved better treatment. 

The possibility of joining the Lakers was more than just a fleeting thought. However, the financial situation made this move nearly impossible. The Lakers had already committed a significant portion of their salary cap and lacked the flexibility to bring in George without a complicated sign-and-trade deal. Given the fierce rivalry between the Clippers and Lakers, it was unlikely that the Clippers would entertain such a deal.

In the end, George chose to sign a four-year, $212 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, where he now hopes to chase that elusive NBA championship alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey. 

While the move to Philadelphia was ultimately about securing his financial future and being in a competitive situation, the idea of playing for the Lakers and joining forces with LeBron James and Anthony Davis was something that lingered in the minds of George and his family. However, the circumstances just didn't align for such a move to happen.

Paul George Going To The Lakers Would Have Been The Biggest Insult To The Clippers 

If Paul George had found a way to join the Los Angeles Lakers this offseason, it would have been the ultimate insult to the Los Angeles Clippers. The Lakers had long coveted George, making attempts to bring him on board back in 2017 and again in 2018, but those efforts fell short. Instead, George chose to join the Clippers in 2019, forming what was supposed to be a championship-contending duo with Kawhi Leonard.

However, despite the high expectations, the partnership with the Clippers never reached its full potential, largely due to injuries and a lack of postseason success. The Clippers' dream of claiming their first NBA championship was derailed time and again, and George's departure this summer to the Philadelphia 76ers marked the end of an era that never truly took off.

Had George opted to stay in Los Angeles but switch allegiances to the Lakers, it would have been a bitter pill for the Clippers and their fans to swallow. The rivalry between the Lakers and Clippers has always been intense, but George crossing the hallway at Crypto.com Arena to join the Lakers would have added fuel to the fire. It would have symbolized not just a shift in power but a profound betrayal, as George was initially brought in to elevate the Clippers above their more storied rivals.

In the end, George didn’t go to the Lakers, but the very thought of such a move underscores the deep tensions and competitive stakes between the two franchises. Had it happened, it would have been one of the most dramatic and controversial moves in NBA history.