Pacers Paul George to sign a long term extension before the season

Indiana Pacers swingman Paul George was one of the breakout players of the 2012-13 season. During the season, George averaged 17.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.8 steals per game while shooting 41.9% from the field, 36.2% from beyond the arc and 80.7% from the free throw line.

In the postseason, George upped his game, averaging 19.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 43.0% from the floor, 32.7% from three and 72.7% from the charity stripe. He helped lead the Pacers to the Eastern Conference Finals where they fell to the Miami Heat in seven games.

Since George’s season came to an end, there have been many rumors about his future and many media outlets have tied George to the Los Angeles Lakers. At one point, George even said it would be hard to say no to Lakers guard Kobe Bryant.

According to George, that isn’t the case.

“(A long-term contract) is going to get done,” George told The Indianapolis Star. “There will be a deal signed and sealed on the table before the season. We’re (George and Pacers management) on the same page.”

Pacers president Larry Bird hopes the deal will get done soon.

“We are working on it now,” Bird told the Indianapolis Star. “We’ve got a way set up where we definitely think we can get something done, but it’s going to have to work for both parties.”