Lakers Trade Rumors: Stars To Target If Moving NBA Draft Pick
Paul George, Indiana Pacers
Position: Small Forward
Age: 26 (5/2/1990)
2016-17 Salary: $18,100,000
Slash Line: .418/.371/.860
Season Averages: 34.8 MPG, 23.1 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 4.1 APG, 1.9 SPG, 2.6 3PM
Paul George, like Jimmy Butler, is a star two-way player on an unspeakably affordable contract. He’ll make just $18.1 million in 2016-17, $19.3 million in 2017-18, and has a player option for $20.5 million in 2018-19.
The sad reality for Larry Bird‘s team is that the Indiana Pacers have never been a haven for free agents. That spells trouble for George—a star in his prime on a team that lacks the talent to contend in the present day.
Bill Simmons of HBO reports that the Los Angeles Lakers are ready to make a serious run 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
In his first full season back from a compound fracture in his right leg, George firmly reestablished himself as one of the league’s elite players. He made his third career All-Star Game, is slated to receive a third All-NBA selection, and should add a third All-Defensive Team nod to his resume, as well.
In other words, George is one of the most revered players in the NBA on both ends of the floor.
Whether or not George can be the No. 1 star on a championship team is up for debate, but he’s worth the price Los Angeles would pay to acquire him. His contract has two more guaranteed and friendly years on it, and he set career-best marks in points, assists, steals, and 3-point field goals made per game in 2015-16.
If his two Eastern Conference Finals appearances aren’t enough to prove it, then George’s average of 27.3 points on a slash line of .455/.419/.953 during the 2016 NBA Playoffs should establish his status as a proven postseason performer.
The question is, would the Lakers be willing to offer a Top 3 draft pick and, potentially, both Jordan Clarkson and Julius Randle to land the Palmdale, California native?
More hoops habit: Which NBA teams could realistically trade for Paul George?
If so, George could make his long-awaited return to Southern California in glorious style.