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NBA free agency: Paul George won’t commit to Pacers

By John Buhler

Feb 16, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) brings the ball up court against the Washington Wizards at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Washington defeats Indiana 111-98. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 16, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) brings the ball up court against the Washington Wizards at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Washington defeats Indiana 111-98. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Indiana Pacers All-Star small forward Paul George prioritizes winning above everything else. What could that mean for his commitment to the Pacers in the long run?

Paul George will be playing in his fourth NBA All-Star Game as the best player on the Indiana Pacers. George has been the star swingman in Indianapolis since 2013 in his breakout season. He has spent all seven of his professional seasons playing for Indiana.

However, George could be one of the biggest names to hit free agency in summer 2018. Indiana hasn’t had a star of his caliber since Reggie Miller retired. Could Indiana be in the tail-end of George era in Indianapolis?

At All-Star weekend in New Orleans, ESPN’s Marc Stein reported that while George “longs to lead the Indiana Pacers to their first NBA Championship,” he didn’t exactly commit to anything long-term with the Pacers organization beyond 2017-18.

George said, “As I told [Pacers team president Larry Bird], I always want to play on a winning team. I always want to be part of a team that has a chance to win it [all].” Though the Pacers played in back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals in 2013 and 2014, they failed to beat LeBron James’ Miami Heat in either series.

Bird will reportedly offer George a projected $219 million contract extension in July. The Pacers have been a great fit for George, but are they really in position to win a championship while George is in his prime?

Indiana entered the NBA All-Star break in sixth place in the Eastern Conference at 29-28. One game above .500 and losers of six in a row isn’t doing a job of convincing George to re-up with the Pacers in the long-term.

Next: Best NBA Teams To Never Win NBA Finals

Indiana is 11 games back of the first-place Cleveland Cavaliers in the Central Division standings. If the season were to end today, the Pacers would have to play the hottest team in the East in the first round. Are we sure the Pacers win more than one game against the red-hot Washington Wizards in a best-of-seven series?

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