(Photo by Marcio Sanchez)
Prior to the 2017-2018 NBA season, Paul George was traded from the Indiana Pacers to the Oklahoma City Thunder for a package including Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis. At the time, this trade was considered uneven on the premise that, trade or not, George had already booked a ticket for Los Angeles next offseason. Now, with six games left in the NBA regular season, Paul George to the Lakers seems far from certain.
To review his season with the Thunder, George has been his usual excellent self, making the All-Star Team and averaging 21.7 points per game, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists while shooting 43% from the field and 40% from three-point range. George also remains a top contender for Defensive Player of the Year. The Thunder, meanwhile, have faced adversity building chemistry on the floor among their new big three of Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony, and of course George himself. Nonetheless, OKC sits tied for fourth in the Western Conference, a lock for the playoffs and in the thick of the race for home-court advantage.
Not only has George played well, but he has also clearly enjoyed his time with the Thunder—he’s winning and is surrounded by immense talent. Additionally, the effect of playing with Russell Westbrook shouldn’t be understated. As he said, “Russ is the reason why this decision [free agency] is becoming...easier to make, is the character Russ [has]...A stand-up guy, and he has his teammate's back” (per ESPN) Players change their minds all the time, but George seems to be confirming the apparent fact: He’s having a good time playing on a Thunder team that has only gotten better as the season has gone on.
As for his future, George will almost certainly opt out of his player option—purely as a business decision to get his long-term, lucrative contract. However, it seems increasingly far-fetched that he’ll leave Oklahoma City. He’s surrounded by controllable talent, including not only Westbrook and Anthony but also Seven Adams and Andre Roberson. Compare that group to the Los Angeles Lakers, who have an inexperienced young core. Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, and Kyle Kuzma are all talented young bucks, but none are close to stardom. Furthermore, are the Lakers really that close to being competitive in the West and leapfrogging the Warriors, Rockets, and Spurs (not to mention the Timberwolves, Trail Blazers, and Nuggets)? Do the Lakers really offer more upside than a team with Carmelo Anthony, Russell Westbrook, and underrated big man Steven Adams? Doubtful.
If George passes on Los Angeles as I expect him to do, his decision will have a reverberating effect around the NBA. Failing to sign George would almost certainly close the book on the Lakers’ shot at LeBron James or any other major free agents, and LA would likely wait another year to spend its cap space. It would also establish the Thunder as real Western Conference contenders for years to come. Ultimately, I agree with Paul George on this one: this choice “is becoming...easier to make.”
(Statistics from Basketball Reference, standings from NBA.com)
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