Amidst rumors regarding Paul George’s desire to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers once he becomes a free agent after the 2017-18 season, the Indiana Pacers have agreed to trade George to Oklahoma City, according to reports.
The 27-year-old forward has recovered from a terrible leg injury suffered while playing with Team USA to become one of the best players in the league. The 10th pick in the 2010 draft has been a key piece of several playoff runs for the Pacers, and has proven to be worth whatever contract he will receive in the future.
According to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN, George will be traded from Indiana to Oklahoma City in exchange for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis. Oladipo signed a four year contract with the Thunder during the previous summer. Sabonis was selected 11th in the 2016 draft by the Magic, and then traded to Oklahoma City as part of a deal for Serge Ibaka.
This deal gives the Pacers two young, talented players in Oladipo and Sabonis. Oladipo played college basketball at the University of Indiana, and Sabonis is in his second season.
This deal gives the Thunder a superstar forward to pair with Russell Westbrook, a recipe that has proved beneficial for them in the past. If George decides to leave after this season, the Thunder will have traded Oladipo and Sabonis in a cap-clearing move. With George on the roster, and Andre Roberson in limbo as a restricted free agent, the Thunder are on the verge of going over the luxury tax threshold to re-sign their defensive wing.
It goes without saying that the Thunder are going to be very good next season, with George on the wing, Steven Adams and Enes Kanter at center, and the reigning MVP at point. The Northwest Division has become very challenging in a matter of days for the Nuggets.
