![Paul George and Carmelo Anthony [Image Credit: NBA/Youtube ]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2017/12/13/660x290/b_502x220x82/image-credit-nbayoutube-paulgeorge-carmeloanthony_1732713.jpg "Paul George and Carmelo Anthony [Image Credit: NBA/Youtube ]")
It has been a rough start of the 2017-18 season for the Oklahoma City Thunder. After 26 games played, the Thunder are at the ninth spot in the Western Conference with a 12-14 record. This is not the kind of start the fans in Oklahoma were hoping to see after the team acquired several good players this past summer. The Thunder managed to acquire Paul George from the Indiana Pacers and they also signed veteran star-player Carmelo Anthony from the New York Knicks. They were hoping that the combination of these two great players, along with Russell Westbrook, could help them compete for the NBA championship this season.
But the way things are looking right now, that is hardly going to happen.
Could be time for some changes in Oklahoma
The Thunder have won five out of their last 10 games, and if the playoffs started today - OKC wouldn't be a playoff team. They hold a 12-14 record in the West, good for just the ninth spot in the Conference. Many are wondering if it a mistake to form a "Big Three" with George, Anthony, and Westbrook. Before the season started, many predicted Oklahoma to be the biggest threat to the Golden State Warriors, but it appears that was a bad judgment. OKC's struggle is real and apparent, especially on the defensive end of the court. With all this being said, there are some rumors, around the league, that OKC's front office might decide to make some roster changes and move one of their All-Star players.
It's hard to think they would trade their biggest star and league-MVP, Russell Westbrook, so the choice is between Carmelo Anthony or Paul George.
Anthony is a 33-year old veteran, and this season he is averaging 18.0 points and 6.4 rebounds per game for the Thunder. George, on the other side, is a 27-year old NBA star averaging 20.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game this season.
George will be a free-agent after this season. NBA analyst, Chris Broussard, thinks the Thunder should trade George to the Cleveland Cavaliers soon.
Is Paul George on his way to Cleveland?
According to FOX Sports, a much-respected NBA analyst, Chris Broussard believes it will be a win-win situation for both sides if the Thunder decides to trade Paul George to the Cavaliers in January this season.
"I'd give it until the first week of January, and if it doesn't get better I'm looking to move Paul George," @Chris_Broussard says.
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) 12. prosinca 2017.
"Cleveland would be right there at the top of potential landing spots — right along with the Lakers." pic.twitter.com/rvfHg2WDdq
Broussard thinks Oklahoma should play it out, until the first week of January, and see how things work for their "Big Three". If they continue to play the way they've been playing so far, Broussard believes they should consider trading George to the Cavs. "If you're Cleveland, it makes all the sense in the world to go after Paul George," said Broussard.
He also went on to say that the Cavaliers could, and should offer Iman Shumpert, Tristan Thompson, and their 2018 first-round draft pick.
But he also went on to say that he thinks the Cavaliers shouldn't be giving away Brooklyn's 2018 first-round pick, in case things don't work out and LeBron James leaves Cleveland next summer. It's an interesting situation for the Cavaliers nonetheless. Paul George on the same team with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Isaiah Thomas? Sounds fantastic if you are a Cavaliers fan.
