Woj: Paul George has informed the Pacers that he WILL LEAVE in free agency

[jambr380]

Saying he is definitely going to the Lakers is odd. I mean, they are horrible right now - what in the world does he see in that team other than they play where he grew up? It's kind-of a loser move unless LA does a lot more to be competitive...and good luck dumping the Mozgov, Deng, Clarkson contracts.

I just hope LA doesn't trade for George this summer. That would seriously diminish the value of the trade we just made; although I am still confident Sacramento will suck in 2019.

[crimcartel]

Saying he is definitely going to the Lakers is odd. I mean, they are horrible right now - what in the world does he see in that team other than they play where he grew up? It's kind-of a loser move unless LA does a lot more to be competitive...and good luck dumping the Mozgov, Deng, Clarkson contracts.

I just hope LA doesn't trade for George this summer. That would seriously diminish the value of the trade we just made; although I am still confident Sacramento will suck in 2019.

There s rumor levron wants to go to la.... So they definitely could be talking and planning with each other

[crimcartel]

Saying he is definitely going to the Lakers is odd. I mean, they are horrible right now - what in the world does he see in that team other than they play where he grew up? It's kind-of a loser move unless LA does a lot more to be competitive...and good luck dumping the Mozgov, Deng, Clarkson contracts.

I just hope LA doesn't trade for George this summer. That would seriously diminish the value of the trade we just made; although I am still confident Sacramento will suck in 2019.

There s rumor lebron wants to go to LA.... So they definitely could be talking and planning with each other

[RJ87]

So do we make a run at him? And if we do, do the Lakers panic and offer #2? Can we put together a more enticing package around #3 than the Lakers potentially could with #2? 

Ugh. This trading out of the #1 looks like it's gonna have more consequences than we all anticipated initially. If LA can't wait and trades for him now, that 2018 Lakers pick is pretty much gone.

[max215]

So do we make a run at him? And if we do, do the Lakers panic and offer #2? Can we put together a more enticing package around #3 than the Lakers potentially could with #2? 

Ugh. This trading out of the #1 looks like it's gonna have more consequences than we all anticipated initially. If LA can't wait and trades for him now, that 2018 Lakers pick is pretty much gone.

#2 or #3 would be a monumental overpay at this point. To the point of our trade, I wonder if Danny demands to change the terms at all before it becomes official tomorrow.

[hpantazo]

Offer the Pacers the newly acquired LA/Sac pick plus Crowder and Rozier.

[Dino Pitino]

Let's low ball the hell out of them.

Jae Crowder
Tyler Zeller
Memphis pick
Clippers pick
Celtics pick 2018

Then trade Avery Bradley and/or Marcus Smart for a decent big

Sign Hayward

Draft whoever

I like that offer, even for a George rental, except I'd keep Bradley and Smart and sign Griffin instead. Roll out a Isaiah-Bradley-George-Griffin-Horford lineup with Smart-Brown-Rozier-Zizic bench and see what kind of unpredictable damage can be done for one season, maybe a lot.

[max215]

Something to keep in mind now: Adam Himmelsbach is now saying the Kings pick is NOT unprotected.

[celticinorlando]

Something to keep in mind now: Adam Himmelsbach is now saying the Kings pick is NOT unprotected.

Of course its not. This was a Edited.  Profanity and masked profanity are against forum rules and may result in discipline.ty deal for Ainge. Got picks that are heavily protected and then ub the end might not get anything out of either one.

[max215]

Something to keep in mind now: Adam Himmelsbach is now saying the Kings pick is NOT unprotected.

Of course its not. This was a ****ty deal for Ainge. Got picks that are heavily protected and then ub the end might not get anything out of either one.

I wouldn't be surprised if it's more reverse protection, but we'll see.

[Surferdad]

Looks like Larry Bird got out just in time. 

Not an accident.  Bird knows how these things could play out.

[hwangjini_1]

To posters above, an honest question... if Paul George is so determined to go to LA, why would the lakers give up a top draft pick instead of waiting one year and getting him for nothing?

[RJ87]

To posters above, an honest question... if Paul George is so determined to go to LA, why would the lakers give up a top draft pick instead of waiting one year and getting him for nothing?

LA likely won't give up anything, I think they'll take a note from the Denver/NYK/Melo thing and just wait to sign him in FA. To that end, I think they're more likely to draft Lonzo Ball now. Ball/Russell/Ingram/George is an interesting foundation. Not sure they hold onto Randle, though.

With all of that said, I'd take the gamble and deal lesser assets to get him in Boston. I'd offer Indy our own '18 pick and that Memphis pick + Crowder and whatever salary filler to get it done.

All in all though, I think - and have thought for awhile - that Jimmy Butler is the guy management wants more so than Paul George.

[mef730]

Something to keep in mind now: Adam Himmelsbach is now saying the Kings pick is NOT unprotected.

Of course its not. This was a ****ty deal for Ainge. Got picks that are heavily protected and then ub the end might not get anything out of either one.

I wouldn't be surprised if it's more reverse protection, but we'll see.

Totally agree. Maybe this is where the Philly 2021 talk came from, i.e., if Sac pick is worse than 5, Cs get Philly 21.

Mike

[jpotter33]

I wouldn't give up a ton for him, especially now, but I still think he would agree to play on a contender in Boston over a bad LA squad.

Unless George explicitly says he's only going to LA, which would mean he's got a Heat 2010 scenario planned, I don't think he'd leave a ready-made contender for a lottery-bound Lakers squad.

I just think he wants to be in LA over Indy, since neither of them are close to contending anyways. But I don't think that means he'll ONLY play for the Lakers.