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Paul George trade rumors: 5 teams that should deal for Pacers’ star

By Gerald Bourguet

Apr 23, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) points during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Cleveland defeats Indiana 106-102. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) points during a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Cleveland defeats Indiana 106-102. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Paul George trade rumors
Feb 6, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) dribbles the ball as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Andre Roberson (21) defends at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Pacers won 93-90. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Oklahoma City Thunder

This one would have to wait until Victor Oladipo‘s poison pill provision expires on July 1 to work financially, but the Oklahoma City Thunder desperately need another star to pair with their MVP candidate.

No one outside of Russell Westbrook should be indispensable if the front office is convinced it can add another superstar to the mix, which should be the goal as the Brodie’s 2018 free agency creeps closer.

With Kevin Durant gone, the wing position was a glaring need for OKC. Paul George would bolster an already potent defense, he’d provide another scoring punch to take the pressure off Russ to do everything and his three-point shooting would open up driving lanes that were constantly clogged.

We’re going to assume the Pacers wouldn’t be interested in Enes Kanter, and that the Thunder would prefer to keep Steven Adams. Oladipo had a good but not great year in his first season with the Thunder, and though he’s never broken out as expected, he’d be a decent return for a Pacers team that might not receive too many overwhelming offers.

This deal would have to wait until the start of free agency for Oladipo’s new extension to kick in for salary-matching purposes, but if the framework of the deal could be hammered out before the draft, the Thunder could simply select whoever Indiana wants with the 21st overall pick and trade that player once the trade became official a few weeks later.

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Throwing in that pick gives the Pacers an additional first-rounder to aid their rebuild, along with a well-balanced player with a defensive mindset.

Oladipo only averaged 15.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game on 44.2 percent shooting last year and his outside touch is still an issue. But perhaps expectations were simply too high for him to begin with, and to suggest he’s not a good NBA player would be foolish.

However, as fun as Russ and PG-13 would be, they’re not enough to lift OKC above the Golden State Warriors or even the San Antonio Spurs in the Western hierarchy. Anything short of a conference finals run would send George and/or Russ to Hollywood in 2018, and even that might not be enough to convince one or both of them to stay if the two don’t click perfectly.

After experiencing the pain of losing Kevin Durant in free agency last summer, OKC’s brass may not be eager to risk that happening again next offseason, especially if they have to give up one of their three best players to facilitate a deal.