Indiana Pacers: The Pros And Cons Of Trading Paul George This Summer
Con: Losing A Superstar Player
Earlier we alluded to the possibility that Paul George’s prime won’t coincide with Myles Turner’s, but we should be fair: PG-13 won’t turn 26 until May, which means he’s still very much in his prime. Trading away a top-10 player in that age range is exceedingly difficult to do, no matter the circumstances.
From fans’ emotions to ticket sales to primetime coverage to playoff earnings to jersey sales to the simple loss of on-court talent, trading a star player away will set any NBA franchise on a long and winding path back to relevance.
Paul George is no exception. This season he’s averaging 23.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 45.5 percent from the floor and 39 percent from three-point range.
If the Pacers miss the playoffs, can anyone blame Paul George if he tires to force a trade?
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) April 1, 2017
In addition to his improved long range shot, PG-13 doubles as one of the best wing defenders in the NBA, and with the Pacers needing him to step up to keep their playoff hopes alive he’s delivered, averaging 27.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.8 steals per game on blistering .491/.418/.865 shooting splits since the start of March.
According to NBA.com, the Pacers are 8.1 points per 100 possessions better on the offensive end with George on the court, and they’re also 1.2 points per 100 possessions stingier on defense. Turner could be a future unicorn in this league, but trading away PG-13 quite clearly puts the Pacers into the tanking picture.
You can’t replace George’s specific brand of two-way production, even if the Pacers landed a future star wing like Josh Jackson or Jayson Tatum in this year’s draft. In fact, Paul George is exactly what you’d hope those players could turn into one day. Trading a player like that away takes some serious thought, even with the threat of losing him in free agency.