The Los Angeles Lakers are planning for the future now that fickle center Dwight Howard is out of the picture, having left L.A. and $30 million more to join James Harden and the Houston Rockets.
The 2014 free agent class is loaded, and players such as LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony have been linked already to the Lake Show. A new name is popping up, however, and although his name isn't as sexy as the two previous players, he has been performing at their level.
A target for the Lakers' rebuilding could be Paul George of the Indiana Pacers. " 'Paul, are you coming to L.A.? Let's get you in L.A.' That's all I've been hearing since I've been out here," George told Yahoo! Sports.
George assumed the mantle as leader of the Pacers when Danny Granger was unable to suit up for most of the season with various injuries, and he performed well. The third-year swingman upped his scoring to 17.4 points per game, to go with 7.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists a night. He was an 80 percent shooter from the charity stripe, and a 36 percent shooter from 3-point range, in addition to establishing himself as a perimeter defender in the same orbit as LeBron.
George says he grew up a Los Angeles Clippers fan, but has idolized Kobe Bryant, wearing his No. 24 in high school. The Palmdale native has been bombarded by fans imploring him to return to Hollywood.
"Everywhere I go [in L.A.] they say, 'We want you here. Don't sign with the Pacers,' " George said. "I hear that constantly. It's getting a little repetitive ... but I'm getting used to it. I understand it. I can't really be mad about it. It's a great feeling when people in the stands really want you."
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