All-Star small forward Paul George clearly believes he’s the one the Los Angeles Lakers have been looking for all this time. According to Sam Amick of Usa Today, George has become more focused in creating his own legacy so much that another mediocre season in Indiana could ultimately force him to bolt out and sign with the Lakers next summer.
Despite another excellent all-around season (23.7 points on 46 percent FG shooting with 6.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game), George was a snub in all three All-NBA teams announced on Thursday. George could have been eligible for a designated contract extension that pays $75 more in his next contract with the Pacers if he made it in the All-NBA selection.
George could still earn a super-max extension with his inclusion in next year’s All-NBA teams, but Amick stressed that the Pacers superstar is no longer motivated by financial rewards or bonuses. Instead, George sets his focus on his legacy as a player.
To the Lakers he goes
It’s no secret the Lakers will be vying for his service when he hits the free-agency market in 2018. Adrian Wojnarowski of the Vertical/Yahoo Sports reported that the Lakers’ front office is confident they can sign George next year. In fact, Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka are no longer interested in trading their lottery pick and other assets for an outright shot at the superstar, as they believe George is not going anywhere but the Lakers next summer.
George, on the other hand, has also been dropping hints in recent interviews that a move to the Lakers is very much a possibility. According to Amick, per a source close to the situation, George really thinks he can end the Lakers’ four-year playoff absence and take the franchise all the way to the Promise Land.
“And whether it’s realistic or not, the 27-year-old who grew up idolizing Bryant in Palmdale, Calif.
clearly believes he can lift the Lakers out of the darkness. The question now, it seems, is whether the Lakers will have the necessary patience and prudence on their end to make the most of their situation,” Amick noted.
Still up in the air
Of course, anything can still happen before George gets the opportunity to opt out of his deal.
Believe it or not, the Pacers can still convince its franchise player to stay, especially if they put up a strong cast of personnel around him.
Then, there’s the possibility of George ending up on a winning team like the Boston Celtics via trade. Boston is capable of pulling off a blockbuster deal with its draft picks and collection of young players. Moreover, the Celtics give George a much easier road to the championship than playing with the Lakers in the Western Conference. They only have to find a way to beat LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, which is still pretty tough but not as brutal as the playoff battles in the West.
