Getty Gallery: 5/6
No. 2 SF Paul George, Oklahoma City Thunder
Paul George has a player option that most expect him to exercise. For more than a year, George has been linked to Los Angeles where he grew up. As free agency approaches, there are conflicting reports on George's plans. OKC KWTV's Sports Director Dean Blevins reported his agent his telling people George plans to resign with the Thunder.
"Allegedly, apparently, Paul George plans to stay with the Thunder," Blevins noted (via Clutch Points). "I know. It’s not what people believe. But in separate conversations, I’m told P.G.’s agent has told people associated with the NBA that P.G. believes the injury loss of Andre Roberson was huge and he’s staying. Disclaimer, though: Believing everything that agents allegedly say can be dangerous to your health."
Thanks to their mid-season trades, the Lakers have enough cap space they can sign George along with another key player. Many believed George approached the Pacers for a trade knowing he was heading to Los Angeles this summer, but that will not stop other teams from making a run at George. The Rockets and Sixers are two teams with reported interest in George.
Everything starts and ends with LeBron James. More than any other player, George is next in line as the most attractive free agent. The Sixers (along with any other team) likely prefer James, but could go hard after George if James turns them down. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported George is next on the Sixers list of targets.
For those looking to draw similarities to Kevin Durant's exit, Russell Westbrook has tried to point out the difference.
"Two different relationships...Obviously Kevin was here for many years and decided to leave and Paul’s only been here for a few months," Westbrook explained to Mass Live. "But like I said before, our friendship ad our bond we created together is more important to me."
The connection between George and the Lakers really started to heat up last summer. The George and James connection is less clear but ESPN's Ramona Shelburne and Brian Windhorst reported that James tried to recruit George to the Cavs when it became clear he was requesting a trade. For whatever reason, the deal never came to fruition.
"At this stage of James' career, a roster with two-way players who could help battle his rivals in Golden State would be a huge plus," ESPN noted. "Other playmakers who can take the burden off James would help as well. That's the reason James and George, the other marquee free agent next summer, have been linked. James aggressively recruited George behind the scenes last summer, selling him on a future together in Cleveland, but the Cavs deal mysteriously fell apart before George was dealt to Oklahoma City."
If George is to play with James next season, he would likely have to convince James to join him in Los Angeles. The Lakers have the clearest path (of the rumored contenders) from a salary cap perspective to sign two marquee free agents.