"Trade Steph & commit to rebuild early" - NBA fans down in dumps after Warriors reportedly fail to land Paul George in free agency

Paul George has made a decision about his future that can have big effects on the Golden State Warriors. The 2022 NBA champions were reportedly interested in acquiring the veteran swingman. However, the situation has turned grim for the Dubs since George opted out of his player option and will become a free agent this offseason.

Had he opted in, George and the Clippers would have been in a position to seek trades for him. The veteran is now off the table for the seven-time NBA champions, as team insider Anthony Slater reported today.

"Warriors have been under the impression today that they are out on Paul George. The reported opt-out seals it."

Plenty of fans reacted to this news because the Warriors landing Paul George would have put them in a favorable situation ahead of next season. Some fans asked them to give up and enter rebuilding mode by trading Steph Curry.

"Might as well trade Steph and commit to the rebuild early," one fan said.

"Time to tank," one fan said.

"Time to rebuild," another fan said.

Others criticized GM Mike Dunleavy, predicting that the team would eventually bring Klay Thompson while others suggested focusing on options other than Paul George.

"Mike Dunleavy is a certified loser. Always has been. He will give in and bring Klay back for the nostalgia tour. What a sad sad start to free agency," one fan said.

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Golden State Warriors still trying to be championship contenders again

The Dubs have struggled to find consistency since winning the 2022 NBA title and are looking to become championship contenders again.

The Draymond Green-Jordan Poole incident, the subsequent decline of Poole, and the suspensions of Green added to Klay Thompson's decline (and potential exit), have hurt the Warriors' chances to win the championship.

Paul George would have been a terrific addition for them on paper, but it seems like the Warriors would need to look elsewhere to find the piece that can help Curry and Green challenge for the title.

Despite one report suggesting that George could be traded this weekend, he'll test the waters of free agency and see what he can get, with teams like the Philadelphia 76ers reportedly interested in his services.

As for Golden State, they aren't considered among the sweepstakes for Brandon Ingram. Jimmy Butler might be a different case for them, but we still have to wait to see how they try to bolster their ranks.