NBA Trade Rumors: Los Angeles Lakers Pushing For Paul George Trade

Amid all of the NBA trade rumors floating around at the deadline, a blockbuster deal could be brewing that sends Paul George to the Los Angeles Lakers.

After the DeMarcus Cousins deal, the landscape of the trade deadline has changed. Suddenly, numerous big names are on the block with serious potential to be dealt by Thursday.

The latest superstar to hear his name thrown around in recent NBA trade rumors is the Indiana Pacers‘ Paul George. It all started when a report claimed he’d be interested in joining the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018 free agency.

Then, USA TODAY’s Sam Amick stepped it up a notch when he reported the Lakers are actually trying to pry George away from Indy right now.

"“George will be a free agent in the summer of 2018, and it’s no secret that the 26-year-old Palmdale, Calif. native would love nothing more than to sign with his hometown Lakers if the future is bleak in Indiana.“The fact that the Lakers are in the process of trying to land George right now, with new lead executive Magic Johnson moving fast to fill that superstar hole that Kobe Bryant left behind, only makes these next two days all the more compelling.”"

So there you have it. In no time at all, Magic has taken the reins and is leading the Lakers down an aggressive path towards relevance. Personally, I’m perfectly fine with the direction he’s taking this franchise.

George would give Los Angeles the superstar it so desperately needs. In terms of a well-rounded game and elite playmaking abilities, there aren’t many better than the Pacers’ star forward. I wouldn’t put him on the level of Kobe Bryant, but he’s capable of getting this team over the hump.

My biggest concern is what the Lakers would need to give up to get George. As great as getting him would be, it would only mean so much if they gave up their building blocks. What I’m saying is they can’t afford to lose more than one of D’Angelo Russell, Julius Randle and Brandon Ingram.

Realistically, I wouldn’t expect anything to come of this. There’s a good chance the Pacers are simply gauging George’s trade value and seeing which teams are serious potential suitors. A trade could be an eventual option, and Indiana probably wants an idea of what they can expect in return.

Still, it makes sense for Johnson and the Lakers to at least show interest. Who knows? If the New Orleans Pelicans could get Cousins for peanuts, Los Angeles may be able to convince the Pacers to relinquish George without giving up too many of their own assets. Maybe the history between Johnson and Indiana president Larry Bird could lead to an unexpected agreement….

Next: 2017 NBA Trade Deadline: Grades For All 30 Teams

The Pacers could be looking to secure compensation sooner rather than later if George truly is interested in jumping ship in 2018. If that’s the case, the Lakers are in a great position to make a deadline-day miracle occur.

For now, though, don’t hold your breath.

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