The first day of the NBA free agency has already given us a lot to talk about. However, the most noticeable movement was not a free agent acquisition but a trade that took place on the eve. Paul George was traded from the Indiana Pacers to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis, ESPN's Ramona Shelburne reported Friday night.
George and Westbrook are Thunder's new duo
Paul George will join forces with the 2017 NBA MVP Russell Westbrook. This is a great move for the Thunder. Oladipo and Sabonis are decent role players, but nothing more than that.
More importantly, this move was a strong attempt to persuade Westbrook to re-sign with the Thunder. There were growing rumblings around the league in regards to Westbrook's possible departure next season in free agency if the team did not improve. Teams like the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics were looming. However, this move puts the Thunder in a solid position in the Western Conference and in any potential contract negotiations with Westbrook.
The Indiana Pacers had no choice but to trade Paul George after he informed them about his decision to leave the franchise next summer. One would have expected them to receive more assets in exchange for George, especially when several teams were said to be interested in his services.
The fact that the Pacers did not acquire any future first-round draft picks makes them the clear losers in this deal.
Paul George will fill in the gap left by Kevin Durant at the small forward position. While George has not reached Durant's level of stardom, his averages of 23.7 points, 3.3 assists, and 6.6 rebounds last season are proof enough that he is ready to take his game to a different level.
Westbrook and George will be able to play off each other and dominate their matchups almost on a nightly basis. However, if the Thunder roster remains as it is, the two superstars will have little help from the supporting cast. The likes of Jerami Grant, Andre Roberson, Enes Kanter, or Steven Adams can contribute sporadically, but they will not help them take the team to a championship.
George and Westbrook need more help, and this is why the Thunder seem to be ready to make more moves. For example, the Thunder are interested in free agent Rudy Gay and will meet with him on Saturday, say ESPN's sources. Gay would certainly add more offensive firepower to the Thunder's offense.
George trade: other winners and losers
The Los Angeles Lakers are the other big winners in this deal. The fact that Paul George did not end up with a serious contender like the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, or San Antonio Spurs helps the Lakers be more optimistic about their chances of landing George in free agency next summer. While it has been reported that George prefers to play for the Lakers next season, the Lakers' fear was to see him join a solid contender, fall in love with winning, and sign a new contract with the same team next year.
The Eastern Conference is the biggest loser. We have witnessed, yet again, the departure of another star to the West. While it was Jimmy Butler who strengthened a Western team in the Minnesota Timberwolves earlier this week, George has now made a solid team in the Thunder become even more threatening. As a result, the Eastern Conference is becoming even weaker, if that is even possible.
The Cavaliers will continue to be the clear favorites in the east, unless major trades take place, for their rivals seem to be more interested in rebuilding than getting stronger. Although they missed on getting George, so did the Celtics. It is still surprising to see the Celtics remain immobile given the amount of assets they could use in trade scenarios. If they cannot land Gordon Hayward, they will continue to be one the greater disappointments in this off-season.
