With reports that Paul George intends to explore free agency after next season, with his hometown Lakers as his preferred destination, concerns over possible tampering have surfaced. However, Nate Taylor of the Indianapolis Star writes that the Pacers are unlikely to pursue any tampering charges against the Lakers.
Team president Magic Johnson alluded to George’s situation during a recent interview with Jimmy Kimmel, and cryptically tweeted “God is so good!” this week shortly after the George’s plans to leave Indiana were reported. However, the Pacers are more concerned with getting value for their All-Star rather than stirring up issues in Los Angeles, according to Taylor.
Taylor adds that new Pacers president Kevin Pritchard hopes to have a trade for George in place ahead of Thursday’s draft.
Below are additional notes from the Central Division:
- The Detroit City Council has voted to approve $34.5MM in bonds to help fund the Pistons‘ move downtown, according to Detroit News’ Jennifer Chambers (via Twitter).
- The Pistons have been in active conversations leading up to the draft and while their No. 12 pick has been on the block for weeks, it may not ultimately be moved, Rod Beard of the Detroit News writes.
- If Chauncey Billups ends up as the general manger of the Cavaliers following David Griffin’s departure, former Pistons assistant GM George David could be brought in to work in Cleveland’s front office, according to Vincent Ellis of the Detroit Free Press (via Twitter).
- Gery Woelfel of The Racine Journal Times explains how Greg Monroe‘s player option decision may impact the Bucks‘ draft plans, and explores the team’s options at No. 17.
- The following players attended a pre-draft workout with the Bucks on Monday: Charles Cooke (Dayton), Zak Showalter (Wisconsin), Blake Hamilton (Buffalo), Isaac Hamilton (UCLA), Dominique Hawkins (Kentucky) and Brynton Lemar (UC-Davis).
I doubt any tampering went on as George has been pretty vocal about playing in LA someday for at least the past year (wouldn’t shock me if tampering did happen though). Now if George comes out and explicitly states that he is only going to play for the Lakers after the season (so far he has only said his preference/desire would be to play for them) and/or tells Indiana not to trade him, then I would get suspicious.
he said nothing about playing in L.A until trade deadline this year… they didn’t include him on anything they were doing and he felt sum type of way and said he wanted to go back home…. just like ah big kid…. now running off messing up his career to make matters worst
W/o Griff, Cavs run will over after Thursday’s draft. A team needs a lot of variables for a championship run, top tier talent, the unselfish desire to win while it worrying about stats, a coach capable of keeping a team motivated all season while having the innate ability to make the proper changes in tactics during games and lots of luck. But it’s also imperative to have someone at the helm that’s capable of making trades even though there are no assets. Griff is tops in the league in that category.
I wonder what the Magic would say if the Lakers offered them the 27th, 28th, Deng and Brewer for Green and Meeks. Basically 2 late round firsts for them to take Deng. That would give the Lakers 70+ mil cap space next year to sign whoever they want. They could also keep Clarkson and Randle another year to see if they get any better. I think Randle has a ton of potential still.
LA isn’t in the cozy seat everyone thinks they are..
There is alot of pressure to live up to their new expectations…Lakers fans are expecting their team to drastically improve by the beginning of the 18/19 season, and that will not be easy..
Alot of people are saying well why not just sit back and wait for George to come in free agency…Well, what if another team acquires George, and he happens to really like it there and wants to stay??…Then what??
I am a life long Laker fan and I don’t think the team has any pressure on them. They are building a good young core and should continue going that route. I would not trade for George at all, I would rather attach the last first rounders to Deng and move his contract. Let Clarkson and Randle improve. Next offseason they can be real players in free agency with the possibility that they get 2 top free agents (Westbrook, George) with space for role players to go with the young core. They could also offer a package of Ingram, Ball, Randle, Zubac, Nance, Clarkson and picks for Anthony Davis.
Moving Deng’s contract with the 2 late 1st picks would be their best move this offseason.