The biggest story of this year's NBA offseason finally ended on Friday night. After Paul George informed the Pacers earlier this month that he will leave the team next summer, there were many talks about his potential new team. Several teams were mentioned as the potential landing spot for George, and the Cleveland Cavaliers were one of team. Even though it seemed that George will end up in Cleveland after all, that didn't happen.
On Friday night ESPN reported that the Pacers decided to trade him to the Oklahoma City Thunder, in a deal that sent Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis to Indiana.
Fresh start for George
The 6-foot-9 small forward from Palmdale stated, many times, that he would like to play for the Los Angeles Lakers in his career. That will not happen for at least one more year, as George is set to become a free agent next summer. Last season he averaged a career-high 23.7 points per game with the Pacers, but they ended up getting swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Cleveland Cavaliers. George now heads to the Western conference to play with Russell Westbrook, and the two of them should be a fun duo to watch.
Westbrook was named the league MVP for the 2016/2017 season just a couple of days ago, and he now gets another All-star on his team as they try to make some noise next year in the playoffs.
The Thunder were also bounced in the first round of the playoffs last season, and now with Westbrook and George they hope to go deep in the playoffs next season. The 27-year old will bring star presence and playoff experience to the team, but he will also improve Thunder's three-point shooting. George shot nearly 40% from behind the arc last season and he is considered as one of the better shooters in the game. Considering that the Thunder were at the bottom of the league in three-point shooting last season, Paul's contribution should be big for the team.
Also, this gives OKC one more great defender as he is considered to be one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA that can guard the best players in the league.
Oladipo and Sabonis headed to Indiana
In a deal that saw their best player leave the team after seven seasons, the Pacers received Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis. Oladipo was the second overall pick in the 2013 draft, and last season with the Thunder he averaged 15.9 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. Oladipo still has lots of room for improvement, and has great potential especially on the defensive end. Sabonis is a 6-foot-11 power forward that was drafted as the 11th pick in the 2016 NBA draft. Sabonis averaged 5.9 points and 3.6 rebounds in his rookie season with the Oklahoma City last year.
Many are wondering did the Pacers get enough in return for Paul George, and was this the best they could've done. Only time will show, and it's time for both the Pacers and George to move on. Indiana is in for a long rebuilding process now with George's departure.