Paul George currently wears a yellow NBA jersey and despite the rumors, wishes, and hopes of many people, that yellow is for the Pacers and not his hometown Lakers. A likely free agent-to-be after next season thanks to an opt-out clause, George’s name has been prevalent in trade rumors, primarily connecting him to a Los Angeles squad in dire need of a superstar caliber attraction.
While it makes sense for the Pacers to gauge interest in George; losing him in free agency a year from now and getting nothing in return is not ideal. The Lakers are not the only possible suitor as team’s like the Celtics, Cavaliers, and Heat have also been mentioned as destinations — in trades and free agency. At this time, George told reporters, including The Indianapolis Star’s Nate Taylor, that his immediate future is with the Pacers.
“I’m under contract as a Pacer,” George said. “That’s all that needs to really be known. I’m here. I’m a Pacer. Again, what I’ve been dealing with is stories. You guys talking or teams talking. I’m a Pacer. There’s no way around that. This is my team, my group and this is where I’m at.”
The allure of leaving Indiana to compete for a championship elsewhere — given the Warriors‘ super team dominating its way to the 2017 NBA title — can be a temptation for George. Yet, the 27-year-old is committed to Indiana, where he has spent his first seven NBA seasons, for at least one more year and reiterated his goal of bringing a championship to the city.
However, it’s more realistic for George to pursue a title with a team capable of attracting major pieces to complement the 6’9″ forward’s talent. George did not commit to the Pacers past next season and is bracing for a life and career-changing decision.
“It will be tough, but when I get there hopefully I will be ready to sit down with my family, be ready to sit down with people close to me to make that decision,” George said. “Again, I have another year to play out before I can even think about that. So, we’re going to take this thing slowly. I think the best part about it is I’m in the driver’s seat.”
Saying what he has to say. Don’t get why the pacers would think of trading him to the Cavs. They don’t have any young assets and Kevin love isn’t someone you do a rebuild for. Feel the lakers or Boston have the best packages. The sun’s are a team nobody has mentioned but have the assets to aquire a big name. Off-season should be crazy exited for it to start. Also this NBA awards show is so lame. Still have to wait after the draft for these. Way to rip off the NFL and drag everything out for ratings.
I’ve actually mentioned phoenix before. I wondered if this would work, especially if Phoenix takes Fox. Can’t entirely remember the length on these contracts, but I think Bledsoe has 2 years after this one remaining. How about Bledsoe, Alex Len, Derrick Jones, and the Heat’s 2018 and 2021 1st round picks, plus 2 of Phoenix 2nd rounders this year (I’m pretty sure they have multiple) for Paul George, #18 overall this year, rakeem christmas, and Kevin Seraphin? Or replace the 2021 pick with 2019 Phoenix 1st round pick…
Obviously, indiana gives up Paul George and loses their 1st rounder this year, but they get Bledsoe on good money for multiple years, and multiple 1st and 2nd round picks for 1 year of Paul george. Then they can use their money to add on the wing and still be competitive around Bledsoe and Turner
Probably teams that could and would offer more assets, but Bledsoe is also probably the best player they can get back plus assets, and he’s still pretty young.
Len is an RFA
Bledsoe and Chandler are 2 yrs
Knight is 3 years.
There are definitely better deals to be made than the Cavs, but I don’t think Boston or Phoenix will give up all those assets without a long term commitment from PG, which he isn’t offering. Since the Cavs are all in, that won’t bother them, because Lebron could very well leave next year, as he will be a FA as well.
I stilll think it’s at least intriguing for him once he’s on a team, and it becomes a difficult decision. Like in that Phoenix example, he’s surrounded by really good young athletic offensive players. That could be a fun team. But ya, the 1 year does make it difficult for some teams to give up assets. I just still think they can get more than Kevin Love straight up for him. Maybe a 3 team trade works, but I expect then to get more than just Kevin Love if they trade Paul George somewhere
Not much Indiana can do to convince him to stay, maybe if they could sign Paul to a nice 4 year deal and maybe go and get Millsap George might consider staying but thats a stretch. I say he goes to the Clippers next off-season with Jerry West now over there.
I don’t see a team other than the Cavs giving anything of real value bc he won’t resign LT unless it’s LA. Kevin Love for PG13 is probably the best they will get other than the Lakers #2 plus Deng/Mozgov. It’s the same situation with Jimmy Butler bc his 3 yr deal is actually a 2 year deal I believe he has an option out bc of the money out there he will opt out.