The Oklahoma City Thunder pulled off one of the biggest surprises in the offseason, acquiring small forward Paul George from the Indiana Pacers to team up with Russell Westbrook next season. The Pacers traded Paul George to the Thunder for shooting guard Victor Oladipo and young power forward Domantas Sabonis. The trade happened days after George informed the team that the coming season would be his last.
The Pacers decided to trade George in the offseason rather than get nothing in return. The Thunder gambled on George even though he has only one year remaining on his current contract -- essentially a one-year rental.
As the 10th overall pick by the Pacers in 2011, George averaged 23.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists last season, leading the team to the first round of the playoffs and losing to the Cleveland Cavaliers via a sweep. In 448 career games with the Pacers, he averaged 18.1 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists.
Oladipo, the 2nd overall pick by the Orlando Magic in 2013, averaged 15.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 67 games, starting alongside Westbrook. The 11th overall pick by the Magic in 2016, Sabonis tallied 5.9 points and 3.6 rebounds in 81 games. Sabonis started 66 games but was relegated to the bench after the Thunder acquired Taj Gibson from the Chicago Bulls.
George might sign long-term deal with Thunder
Many expect George to join the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018 but an executive is not counting on it, especially if the Thunder succeed with him and Westbrook running the show. According to Chris Mannix of The Vertical, one NBA executive said: “if the Lakers think Paul George is going to walk away from a winner, I wouldn’t count on it.”
The Lakers are expected to emerge as a good team in a few years, if Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram both reach their full potential.
However, George might be interested in signing a long-term deal with the Thunder, especially if he and Westbrook take the team deep into the playoffs in the coming season.
During his time with the Pacers, George never got a chance to play with a superstar talent like Westbrook, who won the MVP Award in outstanding fashion after averaging a triple-double in the regular season.
George thanks Indiana, says the Pacers are in ‘great hands’
After the trade was announced, George thanked Pacers fans for their support in his seven years with the team. He ended his message with: “Indy you'll be in great hands with the future! Love you all!”
