Los Angeles Lakers: Russell Westbrook’s extension could affect Paul George pursuit
Could Russell Westbrook’s new extension affect the Los Angeles Lakers and their pursuit of Paul George?
There was a time where Paul George to the Los Angeles Lakers felt like a lock. Even after his trade to Oklahoma City, George felt like someone who was going to test the market, where Los Angeles would use its prestige to lure the all-star back to his hometown to help restart their efforts to become contenders.
Now, that’s less certain.
On Friday, Russell Westbrook signed a five-year, $205 million contract extension to remain in Oklahoma City. The move, for the time being, makes Westbrook a member of the Thunder for the foreseeable future, if not his entire career. Add in the recent Carmelo Anthony trade with New York and the Thunder look like a formidable team in the Western Conference.
How does that affect the Los Angeles Lakers in their quest to land the four-time All-Star?
Westbrook’s extension will certainly force George to reconsider whatever stance he had on Oklahoma City heading into the season. With one signature, the Thunder went from a team that had all their eggs locked into this season’s basket, to a team with more clarity for the next few seasons. Even if the contract has negative value as Westbrook ages, it’s a good look for a team that wants to contend now.
Not to mention, Oklahoma City’s front office has bounced back quite well since the loss of Kevin Durant. Thunder general manager Sam Presti has gotten Westbrook to sign two extensions, turned Serge Ibaka into Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis, turned Cameron Payne into Taj Gibson, Doug McDermott and a future second round pick.
He then turned all those guys into Anthony and George — two clear upgrades to that roster. The combination of a superstar and a good front office that will do anything to build around their stars could be enticing to George.
Los Angeles’ retort will have to be a good season. Not in a win-loss record, but in development. The George-to-Los Angeles talk never truly passed the smell test because it’s rare to see superstars in their prime to go play with young players, especially guys who are just in their first and second seasons with little to no track record.
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Much like the rest of Los Angeles’ future, their chances fall on Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram.
The last two second overall picks will have to show stretches that can make any star in the league intrigued about joining them. For Ingram, it has to be improved shooting and another step forward defensively. He still looks thin and rounding out his frame will take time, but if he can make leaps and bounds as an overall player, it certainly helps Los Angeles’ free agency pursuit.
With Ball, it’s the hope that he could emulate his UCLA season. In his lone season in Westwood, Ball changed the culture with his advanced playmaking, desire to push the ball up the floor at every chance he could and his solid outside shooting. All Ball has to do is merely play his game and incite Los Angeles to play a more free-flowing game offensively.
Anyone else’s development is free money for Los Angeles. Maybe Kyle Kuzma could be a fun role player, maybe Larry Nance Jr. finds a jump shot to expand his game. It doesn’t truly matter if Ball and Ingram don’t live up to their draft status.
The Los Angeles Lakers will also have to find another star player, which is the hardest part of it all. The thought was that LeBron James would be joining Paul George in Los Angeles together, but if George opts to stay in Oklahoma City, how does that affect James? If James opts to remain in Cleveland go or elsewhere, it leaves Los Angeles selling young players, which is always tough.
There are several options in the air for Los Angeles and they appear to start with a George signing.
Before the tip-off of the 2017-18 regular season, it’s tough to say that the Los Angeles Lakers are questioning their confidence of landing Paul George in the offseason. He’s going to be a free agent at the very least and the Lakers — led by president of basketball operations Magic Johnson — are going to get a meeting with him to sell him on returning home.
However, this recent week has created some doubt in just how much “George-to-LA” is a lock.
The Oklahoma City Thunder added Carmelo Anthony and re-signed Russell Westbrook for the long haul. Add their trade for George himself and Oklahoma City has had one of the better offseasons this year. The ability to walk into a room with a superstar locked in for the foreseeable future and the desire to build around both you and the reigning MVP could be a strong sell.
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For Los Angeles, its recent draftees, mainly Lonzo Ball and Brandon Ingram, will be key in attracting George in Los Angeles, and maybe, the promise or push for a second or even third star to join him could push it in Los Angeles’ favor. Only time will tell.