Indiana Pacers small forward Paul George believes leaving his current team for the Los Angeles Lakers when he becomes a free agent next summer would not be a smartest basketball move, the All-Star told Marc J. Spears of Yahoo.com.

George, who's easily one of the most exciting young players in the NBA right now, has apparently no plans of leaving Indiana despite last week's comments about teaming up with Kobe Bryant in the future.

The Lakers are expected to pursue George and several big time free agents - including LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony - after failing to keep center Dwight Howard this summer.

"Everywhere I go [in L.A.] they say, 'We want you here. Don't sign with the Pacers,' " George told Yahoo Sports via Real GM. I hear that constantly. It's getting a little repetitive ... but I'm getting used to it. I understand it. I can't really be mad about it. It's a great feeling when people in the stands really want you."

"I'm happy to be in Indiana," George said. "I'm happy to be where I am. If I was going to leave Indiana and come to the Lakers, it just wouldn't be a smart move for me. We got a great thing going right now," George added.

George is fresh from an incredible playoff performance, which saw him going toe-to-toe with some of the best scorers in the league such James and Anthony.

Indiana lost to eventual champion Miami Heat in seven epic games, but the franchise is expected to come out strong next season with Larry Bird back in his position as the president of basketball operation.