NBA Trade Rumors: Teams That Could Trade For Paul George
According to a recent report, the Los Angeles Lakers will attempt to trade for Paul George. Which teams would actually be able to pull such a move off?
In the first year of a complete roster restructure, the Indiana Pacers performed as well as anyone could’ve realistically expected them to. Despite replacing go-to clutch scorer David West with a rookie in Myles Turner, and trading defensive anchor Roy Hibbert for a minimal return, Indiana managed to win 45 games and reach the playoffs.
With yet another overhaul expected to be in the works, major-market teams are pondering ways to poach superstar forward Paul George from the Pacers.
It’s hardly surprising that George is garnering attention from teams across the NBA. He’s a three-time All-Star with two All-NBA Third Team appearances, and a third selection likely on the way in 2016.
According to Bill Simmons of HBO, the Los Angeles Lakers will be the first team to try their hand at acquiring George during the summer of 2016.
Also hearing that the Lakers want to make a BIG run at Paul George with their top-3 pick plus other stuff. (Not that they'd get him...)
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) May 4, 2016
That, of course, depends entirely on the Lakers actually retaining the rights to the selection.
Los Angeles’ first-round draft pick is Top 3 protected. In other words, if the Lakers fall out of the Top 3, the Philadelphia 76ers would acquire the selection. Barring a miracle, that would render Los Angeles’ dreams of acquiring George meaningless.
The question is, which teams actually have the trade assets necessary to acquire one of the NBA’s premier two-way players?
Next: Necessary Assets?