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"All-Star forward Paul George has informed the Indiana Pacers that he plans to become a free agent in the summer of 2018 and will leave the franchise – preferably for the Los Angeles Lakers, league sources told The Vertical.

George hasn’t requested a trade before he can opt out of his 2018-19 contract, but did have his agent, Aaron Mintz, tell new Indiana president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard that he wanted to be forthright on his plans and spare the franchise any confusion about his intentions, league sources told The Vertical.

The Pacers could bring back young players – such as forward Julius Randle, for example – and future draft assets to make a deal for George now, if the two teams are so inclined.

Nevertheless, the Lakers can create the necessary salary-cap space to sign George next summer and won’t be compelled to make a dramatic offer to Indiana now.

Indiana’s ability to find a trade for George elsewhere has become increasingly limited, if not crippled, because NBA teams believe that it’s George’s intention to eventually sign with the Lakers as a free agent in 2018.

The Pacers’ inability to maintain a contending roster has played a part in George’s belief that he has a better chance for championship contention by joining the Lakers, league sources said."

Really gotta look to make a draft day trade if you can move Clarkson, Black, and #28 for George...

Means nothing but...

jay51024 wrote:

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jay51024 wrote:The Pacers’ inability to maintain a contending roster has played a part in George’s belief that he has a better chance for championship contention by joining the Lakers, league sources said."

That must sting if you're a Pacer fan.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/19672053/paul-george-tells-indiana-pacers-leave-2018

"Although George would constitute a significant acquisition for Los Angeles, the rebuilding Lakers do not currently intend to part with any of their young assets in a trade with the Pacers, sources tell ESPN's Ramona Shelburne."

And why should they? lol Either he signs in FA or the Celtics overpay for him and maybe he comes here anyways. It isn't imperative for George to be here when our core are 19-21 and he's 28.

jay51024 wrote:

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Boy, Nate Taylor's rep went into the gutter pretty fast.

I feel like Paul George deserves his own thread on the board now. It's happening.

We should be aggressive on Draft Day. We need to grab him ASAP, let's offer them the #28 pick + Clarkson OR Randle and we're set to make the playoffs.

I want this to happen so badly. If we can dump Mozgov or Deng I would offer 28+ Randle. I am also down for the waiting game if the asking price is too high

He really tanked the hell out of his trade value. I wonder who will try and rent him.

If George comes here, Deng goes from an overpaid clinger to a veteran stretch 4 on a win now team that doesn't have its own pick. Same for Mozgov. It would make Randle, Black, Robinson etc redundant.

Mozgov - Zubac - Black
Deng - Nance
George - Ingram
Russell - Brewer - Nwaba
Ball

So I'd test the waters with a Randle + Clarkson + #28 for George + Ellis offer around trade deadline. Add a lottery protected future first if push comes to shove.

No reason to wait. You're giving up a draft pick either way next year. Make a fair offer and get back to relevancy. Randle/Clarkson/28.

God this offseason just keeps getting better and better.

Wavy Q wrote:He really tanked the hell out of his trade value. I wonder who will try and rent him.

Nobody, and I think that was by design.

Michael Lucky wrote:And why should they? lol Either he signs in FA or the Celtics overpay for him and maybe he comes here anyways. It isn't imperative for George to be here when our core are 19-21 and he's 28.

Exactly...oh and he turns 28 next May.But you're still half right...he'll be 28 by the time he slides on that jersey though.

Wavy Q wrote:He really tanked the hell out of his trade value. I wonder who will try and rent him.

He nuked it on purpose, I like that he did it. Boston has already mention they have no interest in trading for him. That leaves the Cavs or somebody else who might risk it.