Paul George Won't Leave Thunder If They're In 'Upward Trend'

[RealGM Wiretap]

Paul George said he doesn't need the Thunder to win a championship as a selling point when he becomes a free agent, but he does want to see them trending in the right direction.

"I've got a lot to think about," George said. "This summer will be huge. I've got a lot to think about. If we're trending, if we're going in the right direction, if I feel there is something that we're building, and there's a foundation -- it would be kind of clueless, just stupid on my behalf to up and leave.

"I'm very conscious that we're only together for a year so far, and we continue to go in an upward trend. It's best to stick with what we have and work on building. So, I wouldn't say it's championship or bust, or championship and I'm out. It's all about building. If I like where we're building or the level that we're going at, it would be stupid to walk away from that."

George has been tied to the Lakers for several years.

Via ESPN

[Sam195]

I bet he resigns on a 1+1 deal with opt out like Durant so both he and melo (who won't opt out of his 28m for 18-19) can be ufas at the same time and if both choose to leave okc he gets less heat on his own. It also gives lakers more flexibility to move Luol Deng who still has 2 years left on his contract to create enough cap room to sign say 2-3 max free agents in addition to a core of Ball, Kuzma and Ingram who would all still be on rookie contracts.

[Harry Garris]

PG having second thoughts about joining the Lakers after he saw firsthand how terrible they are last night?

[MaxRider]

what if Lakers pay him the max and Thunder won't?

[LAKESHOW]

Actions speak louder than words. As of today, he has not signed anything on paper.

[xchange55]

Seems like a lot of the LAL rumors died down quite a bit for both PG13 and LBJ after we see Lonzo might just be a marginal player.

[HurricaneDij25]

Thunder won't be able to afford him. If you're OKC you have to ask if he's worth his big price tag especially after the way Terrence Ferguson played last night.

[alienpick]

I bet he resigns on a 1+1 deal with opt out like Durant so both he and melo (who won't opt out of his 28m for 18-19) can be ufas at the same time and if both choose to leave okc he gets less heat on his own. It also gives lakers more flexibility to move Luol Deng who still has 2 years left on his contract to create enough cap room to sign say 2-3 max free agents in addition to a core of Ball, Kuzma and Ingram who would all still be on rookie contracts.

I could see this. Plus if he wants to stay then the Thunder can give him the max and give Melo a smaller offer or not resign him at all.

The only thing would be if another desirable team steps up and offers him the max this summer.

[spicy6]

Thunder won't be able to afford him. If you're OKC you have to ask if he's worth his big price tag especially after the way Terrence Ferguson played last night.

Theyll be able to re sign him they have his bird rights. They have to get rid of other contracts they have in singler, and abrines but theyre still able to go over the luxury tax and then some to retain him especially if they can get melo to restructure his deal.

[basketballRob]

He may go to Orlando. Nice weather, no state tax, and his old coach.

[macNcheese3]

Just play the game, PG.

[caronimo]

Give the man a bar graph

[WindyCityBorn]

He may go to Orlando. Nice weather, no state tax, and his old coach.

Keep dreaming.

[DCRYsing89]

what if Lakers pay him the max and Thunder won't?

Thunder probaboy gonna give him 20mil,
Lakers 25-35mil.
So i cant see a rich man giving up a chance at a NBA legacy with the thunder just for an extra 15mil.
The hometown ideal has more pull, but if thunder second round or higher in playoffs he wont leave.

[cheese318]

Dude that $10-$15mm per season. You are crazy to think PG13 would turn down an extra $50mm+ total plus playing in his home time plus all the marketing he could receive being in LA. Do not give me that OKC is the same thing as LA in 2018 because it’s not and never will be when it comes to the $$$. PG13 is a goner without a finals appearance

what if Lakers pay him the max and Thunder won't?

Thunder probaboy gonna give him 20mil,
Lakers 25-35mil.
So i cant see a rich man giving up a chance at a NBA legacy with the thunder just for an extra 15mil.
The hometown ideal has more pull, but if thunder second round or higher in playoffs he wont leave.

[ChokeFasncists]

Again, almost totally dependent on how Melo performs.

[LAKESHOW]

Exactly why. PG is there for 2 great players. Melo is getting progressively worse. And worserrrr. Next year, melo is done. No help whatsoever to OKC and title hopes.

[Rollie]

Exactly why. PG is there for 2 great players. Melo is getting progressively worse. And worserrrr. Next year, melo is done. No help whatsoever to OKC and title hopes.

What are you talking about? Melo is putting up solid numbers now that he understands his role in the system.

[ThunderBolt]

Dude that $10-$15mm per season. You are crazy to think PG13 would turn down an extra $50mm+ total plus playing in his home time plus all the marketing he could receive being in LA. Do not give me that OKC is the same thing as LA in 2018 because it’s not and never will be when it comes to the $$$. PG13 is a goner without a finals appearance

what if Lakers pay him the max and Thunder won't?

Thunder probaboy gonna give him 20mil,
Lakers 25-35mil.
So i cant see a rich man giving up a chance at a NBA legacy with the thunder just for an extra 15mil.
The hometown ideal has more pull, but if thunder second round or higher in playoffs he wont leave.

Maybe if PG goes to LA he can get a deal with Nike that’s worth half of what russ got while playing in okc.

[nedleeds]

Stfu and play, self centered entitled millennial clowns. Can anyone imagine Ewing openly opining about his next team or the help he's got around him?