According to ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne, the Indianapolis Pacers have sent forward Paul George to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Paul George has been traded to OKC, per sources
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 1, 2017
The Pacers will receive guard Victor Oladipo and forward Domantas Sabonis.
Hearing Oladipo and Sabonis going to Indy
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 1, 2017
George was linked to a number of teams included the Boston Celtics, Washington Wizards, Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers.
During the 2016-17 season, George averaged 23.7 points per game, 6.6 rebounds per game and 3.3 assists per game. His ability to attack the basket and make impact in rebounding for the Pacers made him a hot commodity for teams.
The 27-year old George is in the last year of his contract, if he chooses to opt out. He is set to make $19,508,958 in the upcoming NBA season, but has a player option for $20,703,384 in the 2018-19 season if he chooses to opt in.
Oklahoma City point guard Russell Westbrook will finally be able to have another star play alongside him, since seeing both forwards Serge Ibaka and Kevin Durant departed during the 2016 offseason.
As for Oladipo and Sabonis, they are set to join a young Pacers squad that features center Myles Turner. Oladipo averaged 15.9 points per game, 4.3 rebounds per game and 2.6 assists per game. Sabonis averaged 5.9 points per game, 3.6 rebounds per game.
The return for George is quite unexpected. Other teams had much more to offer in terms of first-round picks and prospects than the Thunder did. Cleveland seemed to be willing to part ways with All-Star forward Kevin Love and a few others to acquire George. The Celtics had a litany of future first-round picks to offer. Neither team would be able to land one of the most coveted players in the league.
George wants to be a Laker next season, but Westbrook will attempt to bring him back to Oklahoma City for at least a few more seasons. This trade is for the 2017-18 season. What happens beyond that will be decided by George being pleased with what the Thunder have to offer in money and contention for an NBA championship. As for the lifestyle, it would be tough for Oklahoma City to matchup with Los Angeles.
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