Paul George was shocked when he learned he had been traded by the Indiana Pacers to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Thunder were not previously mentioned as a team who could potentially trade for George.
"It was surprising. This team wasn't one of the teams that we had in mind," George said. "I thought I was going to four or five other teams that were pretty active in trade [talks]. When I found out it was OKC, I was quite surprised, but at the same time I was happy about the trade. I was thrilled, I was looking forward to it. All I wanted was a chance and an opportunity to play for something special and ultimately to try and win a championship, and right off the bat I think I can do that here playing alongside Russ [Russell Westbrook]."
George had informed the Pacers, through his agent, that he intended to sign elsewhere when he reached unrestricted free agency next summer.
"The risk in this decision was not making it," Thunder general manager Sam Presti said.
Via Royce Young/ESPN
