I don't think Indiana will trade Paul George this year. Maybe next season though.
I expect Bird will want one more go at building this team. The group he has put together at the moment has good potential. They are closer to being a 47-52 win caliber than they look. A few changes here and there. Some growth from Myles Turner. Replace Monta Ellis with a solid starting two guard. Improve their bench.
I think it would be premature to give up on Paul George's Pacers career at this point.
Yeah, I don't think Bird is quite ready to trade George. However, that team needs more than a few smaller moves. They need another legit star to go with George.
Myles Turner could be that star.
He has the talent to be one of the top big men in the NBA someday.
Edit: Of course, it would be better if they get a 3rd star to go with those two but they might to be able to build a team with balance and depth around them and become one of the top teams in the East in doing so.
Teague has been an all star as well. Ellis and Young have been a borderline all star for years. Then you have old guys like Jefferson that can still perform in short spurts. Obviously an all star and a "star" are two different things, but it isn't like Indiana is devoid of talent.
I expect them to finish in the mid to upper 40's in wins (they are 11-11 and 4-2 in their last six) and depending on matchups have a very good shot at advancing in the playoffs.
Yes, Teague has been an all-star so I call him "borderline". Ellis and Young are not borderline. Turner is not an all-star (yet).
As Ainge says, you need "special" players which to me means top echelon stars, not just all-stars.
I responding to Who because I agree that Turner can be that 2nd star (no one claims he is yet). If Turner becomes that guy, then a guy like Teague as a 3rd option is quite appealing. As currently constructed they could really use a guy like Bradley instead of Ellis in the 2 spot (not that Boston could trade him) and could use a strong defending big guy on their bench. A guy like Noel, Chandler, Bogut, etc. would make some sense in that regard.
Something like this would help all 3 teams I think.
Indiana - Chandler, Covington
Philly - Ellis, Ullis
Phoenix - Noel
Other players can be added as necessary if a team feels slighted at all.