Paul George wasn’t happy with Indiana’s trade deadline strategy. In a video interview with IndyStar.com, George said he “thought he’d be in the loop a little more” with the team’s approach. “I kind of was on the ropes just like you guys were, on what was about to happen.” George said to the press. “It’s kind of a dark moment of uncertainty. That was the frustrating part.”
George was featured prominently in rumors right up until the deadline, being connected to the Nuggets, Celtics, and Hawks. Ultimately, Larry Bird was content to “swat away all pitches,” though it appears they didn’t communicate this to George. Paul’s comments to IndyStar.com provide the latest indication that he may decline his 2018/19 player option in favor of testing the open market.
More from Indiana…
- Bobby Marks and Adrian Wojnarowski discussed Indiana’s deadline strategy on the latest edition of The Vertical podcast (Twitter link). The Pacers had discussions regarding Taj Gibson, per Marks and Wojnarowski, but were reluctant to surrender a first-round pick for only an “incremental” improvement on an expiring contract.
- Thaddeus Young will make his return from a wrist injury tonight against the Grizzlies, Nate Taylor of Indy Star Sports reports (Twitter link). Young’s return is a promising sign, but the 28-year-old may be playing through pain in the early stages. “It’s still a little sore,” Young told Jordan J Wilson of Indy Star Sports. “I think it’s a day-to-day thing about the pain threshold. Right now, it’s sore and stiff, but I’m continuing to go out there with my guys and trying to get myself back onto the floor.”
- Gregg Doyel of Indy Star Sports was critical of Larry Bird’s performance throughout the trade deadline. Bird “didn’t do anything to make them [Indiana] better in the future,” and didn’t surround George with additional pieces. Doyel doesn’t blame George for having hard feelings after “being shown a lack of respect” from the team’s front office.
- The Lakers’ new front office boss, Magic Johnson, knows “full well” of George’s interest in signing with L.A. after the season, Sam Amick of USA Today writes. Nate Taylor of Indy Star Sports elaborated on the Lakers’ connection to the Pacers’ deadline activity, describing the “mounting pressure” on the team to succeed in 2016/17; potentially George’s last in a Pacers uniform. In addition to Bird, coach Nate McMillan and Myles Turner will face pressure down the stretch. McMillan will be relied upon to better motivate his players, while Turner’s growth could determine the Pacers’ ceiling in the postseason.
I thought it’d a 18/19 player option?
Same
I’m saying this as a Pacers fan and Paul George is starting to sound whiny. He basically held Larry Bird/Herb Simon by the balls and said “I want to stay in Indiana but only if you can put a championship team around me, otherwise I’m going to leave.” What did you expect? The team didn’t get a firm confirmation that you’d be willing to wait even a year, they’re not going to stand pat and wait for you to bolt to LA. Even if Bird tried to add talent, the only assets the Pacers even have to add a significant player is George and Turner (the latter being basically untouchable) and their first round pick[s] which wouldn’t have garnered much. Don’t get me wrong, I hope Paul George stays in Indy, but if he’s upset over hearing his name in trade talks or if he expects a championship team to be thrown around him in a trade deadline and one offseason, the Pacers would be better off rebuilding around Turner.
The team, as currently constructed, is not even close to seriously competing and that’s even if Turner takes a huge step foward this next year and a half. There’s depth on the roster and one or two solid players, but the team needs another go-to scorer. I think they need a better point guard over Teague and either more consistency or a better player at the SG. Also, PG has to be willing to play the 4 on occasion. And even then, he needs to do more. It’s not like he’s putting up superstar numbers, he’s just putting up All-Star/borderline star numbers.
Well it’s not like Bird has done much to really put good talent around PG. Bynum, Turner, Ellis, etc etc. Bird should be losing his job.
Oh I agree that Bird hasn’t done anything to put legitimate talent around George. He’s been taking on a lot of flyers or castoffs and hoping to strike gold. I mean he’s done well in the drafts (for the most part) considering the Pacers have mainly been picking somewhere outside the lottery the past few years (with George and Turner being the exceptions). But outside of that, he’s been missing a lot. When the best free agent/trade pickups for the past couple of years are Thad Young and Jeff Teague (and I think David West was acquired under Bird as well), that’s not exactly high level acquisitions.
first thing if u want to compete for ah championship ur the star on the team u should try scoring 30 and 10 sum nights ur averaging 22 points ah game on ah team that’s loaded with talent…u give the ball up like ur not the star… and for the record…I would fire bird b4 next year he hasn’t went after not one other star to go with PG.. and Imma die hard pacers since drafting Reggie Miller over the hometown projected pic
Maybe this is why Boston is licking their chops for that max cap space. Honestly I wonder if they exaggerated to George rumors to see if he’d get frustrated enough to leave. Probably not, I’m worried they want to go after Hayward with max money, but who knows.
I think they do want to go after Hayward, or I’m sure Brad Stevens would love if they did. It’ll be interesting with Hayward because he’s probably not going to qualify for that mega Designated Player Exception deal (same goes for Paul George) this offseason so it really will come down to if he really wants to play for Brad Stevens again, or if he wants to continue sticking it out in Utah to see where that goes.
On a side note, say they acquired Hayward, how would you think they’ll rotate their guys? I know Hayward could play the 2 or 3 and Crowder can play the 3 or 4(mainly in small ball situations) but I can’t see Boston having enough minutes to go around for Hayward, AB, Smart, Crowder, and to continue Brown’s development.