Paul George Free Agency: Interest in Lakers is 'real and widely known'

Paul George has genuine interest in signing with the Los Angeles Lakers when he becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2018. The Lakers had engaged the Indiana Pacers on a potential Paul George trade ahead of last month's deadline but those talks reportedly fell flat after the superstar forward's agents asked Magic Johnson & Co to hold onto their assets and wait for next year's free agency period.

According to ESPN's Zach Lowe, the Lakers are supremely confident about signing George next year and would prefer holding onto their young core. "The Lakers? They might be the one team confident enough to wait for George's free agency. George's interest in LA is real, and widely known. But nothing is certain until you get that signature, and every day between now and that July 2018 day brings the risk of some unknown variable messing up your plans."

"If the ping pong balls bounce LA's way in the lottery, the Lakers could approach Indy with an offer built around Brandon Ingram and a top-3 pick. That's a lot, but it wouldn't represent a Melo-style roster ravaging from George's standpoint. He's ready to win now; Ingram and a teenaged rookie won't be ready to win for years," Lowe wrote, citing the 2011 example when the New York Knicks gave up the likes of Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, Raymond Felton, Timofey Mozgov, Eddy Curry and Anthony Randolph to acquire a player they could have potentially signed in free agency a year later. By employing the patient approach, the Knicks could have surrounded Anthony with a more potent roster.

Paul George Free Agency: 'If we're not contending, I'll talk to front office'

After Wednesday's 109-100 loss in Boston's TD Garden, George was asked to address the NBA trade deadline buzz and new reports that claim at least four teams had tried to acquire him from Indiana. "I didn't put any energy into it (the buzz) It was out of my control. If I was here, I was here. If I remained a Pacer, I was a Pacer. I wasn’t going to put any unnecessary energy where I had no control over," before insisting that he wants to remain a Pacer so long as the team can contend for titles. "If we're (not contending for titles), then me and front office will talk," George said, essentially pressuring the Pacers to improve their roster before next season.

George and the Pacers are eligible to agree upon a five-year max extension this summer. According to the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), George could make up to 35 percent of the projected 2017-18 NBA salary cap (approximately US$103 million, AU$135 million) in the first year of his contract if he were to qualify for an All-NBA team at the end of the ongoing season. However, George hasn't hinted at the possibility of making a long-term commitment to Indiana, unlike fellow superstars Russell Westbrook and James Harden, who signed early extensions last year to take advantage of the new CBA.

If Paul George were to leave in free agency next year, he would be leaving at least US$30 million (AU$39 million) on the table. George is averaging 22.5 points, 3.3 assists and 6.4 rebounds in his seventh NBA season. The California native grew up as a fan of Magic Johnson and the Lakers.