The Paul George Los Angeles Lakers deal did not go down before the Feb. 23 NBA trade deadline. However, the Indiana Pacers may have just pushed a pause button on the deal as PG13 has also expressed his interest to join the Lakers.
According to ESPN, the Paul George Los Angeles Lakers trade discussion may start again this summer. The Indiana Pacers may be forced to choose to trade away its franchise player rather than losing Paul George for nothing once the All-Star guard-forward hits free agency.
According to USAtoday, recently hired Lakers President of Basketball Operations Magic Johnson is certain that a Paul George Los Angeles Lakers transfer is bound to happen. Magic believes that the George, a native of Palmdale, California and a longtime Lakers fan, is determined to sign with the LA Lakers once he is eligible via free agency.
This puts the Indiana Pacers team in a tight spot. Larry Bird and Magic Johnson reportedly tried to reach a deal that will send Paul George to the Lakers before the NBA trade deadline expired. However, Bird ultimately decided to keep the Pacer's franchise player.
Paul George's growing frustration with the Pacers has been well chronicled. The Indiana Paces is in no position to make a deep playoff race this year and its playoff chances is even dim. The only way for the Indiana Pacers to keep Paul George is for Larry Bird to make the right roster changes to make the Pacers a true contender.
Without enough trade assets, it would be very hard for Bird to get key players via trade. This leaves the Pacers the 2017 free agency market as the only possible means to make roster upgrades. The Los Angeles Lakers will also try to get players via the 2017 free agency market in preparation with a possible 2018 Los Angeles Lakers Paul George deal.
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