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Report: Clippers interested in Paul George

USA Today Sports

The Los Angeles Clippers may be the latest team to join the sweepstakes for Paul George.

Desperate to get out of their rut of sustained postseason failure, the club is interested in a trade with the Indiana Pacers involving the All-Star small forward, league sources told Sporting News' Sean Deveney.

The report comes amid rumblings that George informed the Pacers he's leaving following the 2017-18 season, when he can opt out and become an unrestricted free agent.

The presumed likeliest destination for the California native is L.A., but with the Lakers, whom he's long been linked to in rumors.

Related: Was Magic Johnson rejoicing over reports of Paul George leaving Pacers?

It's believed George is intent on leaving the Pacers, who are coming off their second straight first-round playoff exit, due to their inability to surround him with enough talent to contend for a title.

The Clippers can relate to poor postseason performances, as they've never made it past the Western Conference semifinals. It's been especially disappointing over the past several years given their highly talented Big Three of Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and DeAndre Jordan, who've led the squad to great success almost exclusively in the regular season.

Following a sixth straight collapse - this time to the Utah Jazz in the first round - many called for the team to blow it up. Clippers head coach and GM Doc Rivers insisted that wouldn't be the right call, suggesting the club will try to re-sign free agents Paul and Griffin this summer.

Related: The case for keeping the Clippers together

Indiana reportedly wants a starter and two first-rounder in exchange for its best player, but the Clippers don't have much to offer in the pick department. With just a 2020 second-rounder at their disposal, they'll likely need to bring in a third team in order to pull off a deal for George, who may turn out to be just a short-term rental.

Related: 3 ways a Paul George deal could get done

The Cleveland Cavaliers are also reportedly interested in adding the elite two-way swingman, even with the risk he'll bolt at the end of next season.

The 27-year-old averaged 18.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.6 steals over seven campaigns with the Pacers. He's owed $19.5 million in 2017-18.

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