With the Jazz’s 96-91 win over the Thunder on Friday, Oklahoma City was officially eliminated from the postseason after just six games. A 45-point, 10-rebound, and 5-assist performance from Russell Westbrook could not salvage the Thunder’s season. OKC’s two other standouts, Paul George and Carmelo Anthony, combined for just 12 points in the elimination game.
With the season over, the focus shifts to the offseason as George will be one of the most coveted unrestricted free agents on the market. In his first season with the Thunder, George enjoyed a typically productive year, averaging 21.9 PPG, 5.7 RPG, and 3.3 APG in 79 games. While those numbers were down from his previous two seasons, he was still a vital cog in the Thunder machine. After the game, George spoke to reporters and addressed his future.
“There was a lot to be happy about: the fans, the city, the organization,” George said (via Sports Illustrated). “Everything has been unbelievable. It’s too soon. I’d love to remain a Thunder, but that’s what this summer is for. We’ll address that in the summer.”
After a rough first-round exit, George’s return to the Thunder — despite his repeated comments that he’s open to staying with the organization — is far from certain. With Anthony wielding a $28MM player option, and various other commitments, the Thunder will have a tough time freeing up the money to offer George a max deal, unless they’re willing to go way into tax territory. While it’s possible George has played his last game for OKC, he said he enjoyed growing with his teammates.
“It was an amazing season,” he said. “Really, a learning experience playing off of [Westbrook], playing off of [Anthony]. [Steven Adams]. Seeing what the potential was like having [Roberson] out there. It was great.”
George, a California native, has long been connected to his hometown Lakers, who will have the cap space and opportunity to pursue him this summer. The 27-year-old five-time All-Star will be a popular player, but his current team seems like a longshot at best to retain him.
What do you think will happen with George? Do you think he will somehow end up re-signing with the Thunder? Does it make sense for the Thunder to pursue him given the financial ramifications? If not, where do you think George winds up?
If George leaves that trade will be horrific on OKC’s part. Oladipo still has 4 years left under control
Not really, Roberson is good enough on defense that if he slots in where George played OKC wouldn’t lose a beat if Melo moves to the second option. They need balance and Westbrook and Melo being the 1-2 options would balance things out a lot more. Just let George walk and go spend some of that money on some shooters(KCP,Barton,Ellington,Redick).
Have you watched Melo on play the last two years? He isn’t no longer a second option. He’s a volume shooter that can’t defend at this point of his career
He proved this year that he’s not even a 3rd option.
PG13 being replaceable has nothing to do with it being a bad trade. Oladipo and Sabonis improved a lot this year and are both under contract for a while. 1 year of George for that is really bad
Between Melo, RW, and PG (if he resigns), that would be almost $100 million.
No way he stays, although seeing how things go with Roberson in the lineup would have been quite intriguing I just don’t see him staying. My money is on him going to a team like Detroit where he can be a number 1 option and fit in perfectly.
Jackson-Kennard-George-Griffin-Drummond
Everyone healthy they are a top 5 seed in the East.
What would you propose as a trade?
Wait my bad forgot PG was a FA
Detroit couldn’t afford him. All their cap space is wrapped up in Griffins, Drummonds, and Jacksons deals they can’t float him a max offer (George will get maxed out)
If they convince Anthony to opt out then I can see PG staying
He is opting in 100%
I 170% agree
He gone….unless we either buy out melo or resign him to lessen the cap hit.
Buyout still goes against the cap.
Options are LA, OKC, PHL that can sign him outright. ATL, DAL, CHI, SAC all are non factors in signing him. If LA convinces Boogie to sign a 4 year deal (basically paying for a year of rehab), PG13 likely goes to LA. If LA doesn’t land anyone, and Philly doesn’t land LeBron, I’d say 70-30 he goes to Philly.
Now if they do a sign n trade you’re looking at a Ryan Anderson-PJ Tucker return, or Brooklyn Pick + George Hill + Nance. Suns maybe?
Paul George is gone.
I applaud how disciplined he’s been with the media.
GONE.
Russ made Presti dump Harden.
Russ made KD insane.
Russ made Oladipo expendable.
Russ made Melo stand in the corner.
Russ made Paul Freaking George irrelevant IN AN ELIMINATION GAME.
He’d be BLEEPING INSANE TO PLAY WITH RUSS
he just needs to look in the mirror and see that Los Angeles is CERTAINLY the place to live!! So, he might as well enjoy an awesome career with the All Time Best Tram to play with: The Los Angeles Lakers!! Lol
Come home Paul.
Basically Westbrook is Allen Iverson.
It’s damn near impossible but if he went back to the Pacers how scary would that be?
Pacers don’t want choking dog PG. huge $…he is not worth it. Stay gone. Let him go screw up salary cap for Fakers.