The Indiana Pacers and Los Angeles Lakers are working on a trade involving Pacer superstar Paul George, as reported by ESPN's Ramona Shelburne and Marc Stein. George has expressed interest in signing with the Lakers after his contract is up after next season. He has told Kevin Pritchard, the Pacers President of Basketball Operations, that he does not want to return to Indiana next season.
If a trade does go through between the Pacers and Lakers, it could have massive implications for the two franchises. The Pacers would almost have to start over from scratch, drafting players behind up-and-coming big man Myles Turner.
The Lakers, on the other hand, would possess one of the best two-way players in the game in George and promising talent in Brandon Ingram, D'Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson.
What would the Lakers have to give up to get George?
According to the ESPN article by Ramona Shelburne and Marc Stein, the Lakers would have to give up the #2 pick in this year's NBA Draft in order to acquire George. However, the Lakers have been reluctant to give up the #2 pick in the draft and they would not be willing to part ways with a promising young talent in Ingram. A source from the Lakers has said that there's "zero chance" they would give up the #2 pick in the draft in a trade for George.
However, it is not just the Lakers who have a possible chance to acquire George from the Pacers.
In the report by Shelburne and Stein, Indiana has made George available for trade discussions with all teams. Among the other teams that have trade interest with the Pacers on George are the Cavaliers, Rockets, Clippers and Wizards.
If the Lakers do get George, how do they convince him to stay long-term?
Say general manager of the Lakers magic johnson and Kevin Pritchard get a deal done for George that does not involve the Lakers' #2 pick and young core players.
How do the Lakers ultimately convince George to stay long-term and not be swayed to another team?
For starters, George is from the Los Angeles area, so he would be staying at home for a long period of his basketball career. It is always refreshing to stay at home with family and friends near.
Another potential reason for George to stay is the young and growing talent the Lakers possess and it would be a huge step for George to help and mentor players such as Julius Randle, Ingram and Russell.
Young players look up to and respect established veterans, especially superstars like George.
The last potential reason that the Lakers have for George convincing him to stay long-term if the trade happens is the 16 banners hanging up at the Staples Center. From Magic Johnson to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to Kobe Bryant, the Laker legends are growing and George can potentially add his name to that list of great players.
