With the 2017 draft just over two weeks away, the Pacers have not been soliciting trade offers or engaging in trade talks involving Paul George, according to Eric Pincus of Basketball Insiders, who calls George conversations “a non-starter currently” (Twitter links).
Although the Pacers never got close to moving George at February’s trade deadline, the team was at least willing to listen on inquiries at that point. Since then, George failed to earn a spot on one of the league’s All-NBA squads, making him ineligible for a Designated Veteran Extension this offseason, limiting Indiana’s leverage in extension talks. Additionally, Larry Bird has stepped down as the Pacers’ president of basketball operations, having been replaced by Kevin Pritchard.
Bird was long considered opposed to the idea of dealing George, so there was speculation that the front office turnover – combined with the Pacers’ inability to offer the standout forward a super-max extension – may spur trade talks this summer. So far though, that hasn’t been the case. In a longer piece on the Lakers at Bleacher Report, Pincus notes that the Pacers haven’t signaled to teams that George is available, per a Western Conference executive.
The Pacers may still show a willingness to discuss George around the time of the draft or free agency, but it’s also possible the club is comfortable waiting out the situation. Given George’s reported interest in the Lakers, Indiana may not be able to extract much in any trade if there’s an expectation he’ll wind up in L.A. in 2018 no matter what.
Keeping the 27-year-old around may be a worthwhile gamble for Indiana — if George earns an All-NBA spot in 2017/18, he’d become eligible for a Designated Player Extension, meaning he could secure an extra $50MM+ at that point by re-upping with the Pacers instead of heading elsewhere.
If he’s not coming like Kobe or Michael dont resign him. The Lebron sauce is spreading to every star in the league except Westbrook and Leonard who are KILLAS
What you sound like a maroon if they trade witch they should he’s not going to win or be a better situation with the lakers so he’s not leaving to win he’s leaving to be with his loved ones
as ah Pacer fan… sounds like ah waste of an NBA career to leave ah ok team to join ah garbage team to be with family…u join the NBA to make money and soon championships… Lakers have nothing to offer him but being able to play in Kobe’s shadow
Or a young core consisting of multiple high potential recent lottery picks and the potential of decent cap space by the time their competition window opens, but sure other than that, nothing.
Haha very optimistic there. But considering it will be 3 years until they have decent cap space, will George even be a top 20 player in 3 years?
Pacers have a nice team as is if they retain Teague.
They need to replace Ellis. Maybe a KCP. But that doesn’t get them past the Cavs. If PG13 goes to the Laker’s he’s not winning either though. There’s only a couple teams he could go to that you’d say maybe able to beat the Warriors and Cavs.
If you put PG13 on the Celtics, Spurs, or Clippers, then you’re looking at potential to upset the two champs.
Wow this comment thread is tough to read. Posters should work on their spelling and grammar if they want to be taken at all seriously
It’s murder to read.
Pacers dont have much in future commitments,so if they dont get an offer they cant refuse,they might as well wait til the deadline.theyre rebuilding if they lose George either way.