Paul George trade: Pacers unhappy with offers from Lakers, Cavs and Rockets
The Indiana Pacers are reportedly underwhelmed with the offers received for a potential Paul George trade. The Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Houston Rockets have aggressively courted George over the last few days and the Pacers don't feel pressure to get a deal done before Thursday's NBA Draft.
On Sunday, a source close to the George camp revealed that the superstar forward had no intention to re-sign with Indiana next year. This led the new Pacers front office, led by Kevin Pritchard, to engage teams on offers "for a rental" since George has only a year left on his contract. Despite the lack of leverage in potential trade talks, the Pacers have refused to come to terms with interested suitors.
Paul George trade: No deal imminent before 2017 NBA Draft
According to Indy Star, a Paul George trade before Thursday's draft is no longer imminent. "New team president Kevin Pritchard has engaged in trade talks with teams such as the Houston Rockets, the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Los Angeles Lakers. The Washington Wizards and the Los Angeles Clippers have also been interested in acquiring George, according to several media reports.
"Those team’s offers, however, have not intrigued the Pacers enough to progress forward to complete such a trade," Nate Taylor, a beat writer from Indiana, wrote in his report published Wednesday.
The report added that the Pacers front office is standing pat and hoping for better offers in the summer. "With the draft approaching, the Pacers, according to sources, are optimistic that other teams' offers for George will become more enticing Thursday afternoon before the draft that night. Pritchard wants to receive the most compensation possible in exchange for George."
Paul George could still play out final year of contract
If the 26-year-old George had qualified for an All-NBA team, the Pacers could have offered him a five-year super max contract extension worth approximately US$212 million ($AU282 million). The Pacers, who own George's Bird Rights, could still out-bid rival suitors by US$40 million (AU$53 million) on accounts of an additional year in the contract. The team that trades for George would stake claim to his Bird Rights.
The report concluded that if the Pacers fail to execute a Paul George trade, the All-Star forward "would still be comfortable" playing out the final year of his contract in Indiana. There is a possibility that George makes an All-NBA team next year and position himself for a five-year super max contract.
George averaged 23.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists in his seventh season for the Indiana Pacers. The two-way wing was drafted 10th overall by the Pacers in 2010. He led the Pacers to two Eastern Conference finals appearances besides making three All-NBA and All-Defensive Teams. Stay tuned for the latest rumblings on a potential Paul George trade, Lakers trade news and updates from the NBA offseason.