With the Thunder struggling to keep pace with the Jazz in the opening round of the playoffs, many have speculated that Paul George could be on his way out of town. While the Lakers have been connected to George for several seasons and they likely remain the favorite for his services should he depart OKC, other franchises will surely have interest in the 5-time All-Star.
Mark Schanowski of NBC Sports wonders if the Bulls should make a run at the small forward. Executive John Paxson previous indicated that the team wouldn’t be major players in free agency, though Paxton also expressed frustration with the lousy season the Bulls just endured, saying that he never wanted to go through a season like it again. If George is willing to come to the Windy City, it may be difficult for the franchise to turn him away.
The Bulls only have slightly under $58MM in guaranteed salary on the books for next season, making them one of the only teams expected to have significant cap space. The scribe acknowledges that George signing in Chicago is a long shot, but he doesn’t believe it’s an impossible feat.
Here’s more from the Central Division:
- Many within the league believe the Bulls will wait until 2019 to make a major move on the free agent market, Schanowski adds in the same piece. Klay Thompson, Kawhi Leonard, and Kyrie Irving are among the players expected to be available next summer.
- Both Luke Kennard and Henry Ellenson are entering a crucial offseason as they hope to be a part of the Pistons‘ long-term future, Ansar Khan of Mlive.com writes. Coach/executive Stan Van Gundy previously said that the team hasn’t decided if the pair of former first-rounders will play in the summer league.
- Despite hanging with the Cavs during the first round of the playoffs, the Pacers know they need to upgrade the talent around Victor Oladipo this offseason in order to ease the burden that their star player is carrying, J.Michael of the Indianapolis Star relays. “As an organization, we’ll do some things to help the situation later,” coach Nate McMillan said about Oladipo struggling with the added defensive attention on him.
If I’m Indy I’m addressing the need at PG and SF. Collision and Bogdanovic are probably not the best choice going forward. I’d propose a trade with the Hornets.
Indy: Kemba Walker, Nic Batum, Jeremy Lamb
Cha: Collison, Jefferson, Leaf, Thad Young, 2018 1st, future lottery protected 1st
Walked wouldn’t fit with Dipo, Walker likes to control the action and is not much of a ball distributor to add onto it. Collison is just fine at point guard, their area of improvement would be the 3-4. I can’t think of a player who would make them a serious contender, they seem to be just fine as is.
Agree, I would not mess with the guard combo. Good D at the point helps everyone.
Ironically enough, it’s probably PG13. He’d be a good 3 for this team.
George would be ideal on Indiana now.
George on the Sixers and the Warriors reign is over starting next season, actually I think this current Sixer team could give them a run. George does need to come back to the East though, Chicago has nothing to sell George on coming over.
This is the first suggestion of PG to the 76’rs I’ve seen. Interesting.
You made me wonder how well Simmons might guard KD….
The possibilities!
Like your view
For PG13 to go to LA they would need to trade for a star first. Westbrook, Kawhi, etc. I think he wants clear path to championship run + the money. Not happening in OKC, Utah, Pho. NOP cant afford him without a move. Dallas and LA currently too far away. Indy would have to renounce 3 players. Sixers are the only title contender that can afford him.
Dude if you put him on the Jazz with Mitchell and Gobert the Jazz would easily be a top 3 seed next season.
That team still doesn’t get past a healthy GSW or Houston. Probably a toss up with a Kawhi Spurs team.
Give me some of what you’re smoking. A second year Mitchell,Ingles, defensive player of the year candidate Gobert with George? Sheeesh.
I don’t see it. They’re a three seed with a decent chance to make it to the conference finals. That’s it. Gobert and Mitchell are good, and George would be a good fit, but I don’t think they have the depth to make a deep run. GSW will still be in the conference finals, and I would still bet on Paul, Harden, Gordon, Capela, etc. being better than Utah. Imagine if they could sign and trade Ryan Anderson for someone too. It likely depends on HOU’s moves this year. If Houston doesn’t get better, Utah with PG is a hypothetical 2 seed that make a conference final exit.
You are overrating Golden State. Curry and Durant are the only real superstars there. You can’t hand Green and Klay a team right now and expect them to carry it. Klay and Green individually on any team is not taking you to the playoffs, not even those two together guarantees you a playoff spot so don’t see why you are painting GS out to be this unstoppable force when they are not. They just all play well together and know their roles, if they and been chasing stats they wouldn’t be as good nor would they be winners. George on the Jazz would knock off the Warriors. The Warriors don’t have the front court to compete with the Jazz.
You’re saying that Curry and Durant are the only real stars, which is true, but it doesn’t mean Green and Klay don’t exist. They’re still good. And you knock them for hypothetically stay chasing and say they don’t, but still use it as a negative.