The asking price for Paul George was too darn high.
Any possibility of a trade to the Knicks is, as it stands, considered “off the table” after the Los Angeles Clippers star made it known he wants a contract extension, according to MSG analyst and ESPN New York host Alan Hahn.
Hahn also said during Monday’s edition of “Bart & Hahn” that the Knicks “said it was too expensive” to make the whole thing work after hearing the Clippers’ asking price and George’s desire for the extension.
George is eligible for a contract extension worth a max of $220 million over four years.
If George isn’t extended, he would be able to decline his 2024-25 player option and test the waters in free agency,
The Los Angeles Times reported last month before the NBA Draft that the Knicks and Clippers discussed a potential trade for George and that New York had been the team to initiate talks.
The Knicks have been in the market to improve their roster after making it to the Eastern Conference semifinals last season, and so far, the club has added Donte DiVincenzo and shipped away underperforming Obi Toppin.
Nevertheless, George comes with some risk considering his injury history.
He has missed extended time over the last three seasons, and he played just 56 games this year while battling a knee injury that kept him out of the first round of the playoffs.
George averaged 23.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists last season, while shooting 45.7 percent from the field.
The 33-year-old is considered one of the best two-way players in the NBA.
Though George coming to the Big Apple may not be coming to fruition, the Knicks have been linked to other names.
On Tuesday, The Athletic’s Jared Weiss listed the Knicks as one of the teams that “are all still in the mix” for Boston Celtics forward Grant Williams.