For the first time since he was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Paul George worked out with new teammate, reigning Most Valuable Player Russell Westbrook, as they began the process of building their chemistry on the court in preparation for the coming season. According to Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN, George and Westbrook worked out in a UCLA campus gym in Los Angeles. The two went through drills together with other Thunder players, including Jerami Grant, Kyle Singler, Semaj Christon and Doug McDermott. George did not attend the first offseason workout organized by Westbrook as he was on vacation in Europe.
The Thunder are hoping to make it deep into the playoffs to convince George to stay and sign a long-term deal with the team. George is in the last year of his deal with the Pacers when the Thunder traded for him, virtually making him a one-season rental. However, Chris Mannix of The Vertical said it will be hard for George to leave the Thunder if they succeed in the coming season. George is expected to join the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018.
George joined the Thunder via trade
George joined the Thunder after he was traded by the Indiana Pacers for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis. Before they became teammates, George and Westbrook were just casual acquaintances as opponents and teammates for USA Basketball.
After the Pacers shipped George to the Thunder, Westbrook and his new teammate spoke on the phone. When George was officially introduced in Oklahoma City, they spent several hours together to get to know each other more. Recently, Westbrook attended George’s celebrity fishing tournament.
George was taken 10th overall by the Pacers in 2011, Last season, George led the Pacers to the first round of the playoffs after averaging 23.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists.
However, they lost 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.
Thunder’s season schedule released
The Thunder will begin their 82-game season on October 18 with a home game against the New York Knicks. After that, they will play division rivals Minnesota Timberwolves and the Utah Jazz.
On October 25, George will face his former team, the Pacers, at Chesapeake Arena. On December 13, George will return to Indiana for the first time when they take on the Pacers in a nationally televised game. The rivalry between former teammates Westbrook and Kevin Durant when the Thunder host the Golden State Warriors on Nov. 22.In all, the Thunder will play 37 nationally-televised appearances on ESPN, ABC, TNT, and NBATV.
