Fansided

NBA Free Agency 2017: 5 teams that should be chasing Paul George

By John Buhler

Apr 20, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) brings the ball up court against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game three of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 20, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) brings the ball up court against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game three of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 6, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens is shown on the sideline in the third quarter of their game against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 123-116. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens is shown on the sideline in the third quarter of their game against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. The Hawks won 123-116. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Boston Celtics

East, Atlantic

New England may love this incarnation of the Boston Celtics, but it has to realize that this team isn’t going to win anything in the way it’s currently constructed. Boston has a high floor, but a low ceiling in the way that general manager Danny Ainge put it together.

Point guard Isaiah Thomas has had a career year in Boston, but he’s close to 30, will be hitting free agency soon and is only 5-foot-9. Center Al Horford is sound defensively and smooth offensively, but lacks the killer instinct to dominate in the playoffs. His inconsistent rebounding efforts often leave frontcourt teammates out to dry.

Basically, Boston needs a star player in the worst way possible. Ainge has collected more assets than anybody. While he wasn’t going to deconstruct this year’s team at the NBA trade deadline, he should have the confidence to trade anybody or any pick the Celtics have to land a player like George from the Pacers.

Ainge may prefer Jimmy Butler of the Chicago Bulls over George, but both All-Star wings have this second gear that no player outside of maybe Thomas has on the Celtics. Indiana would listen to offers from Boston for George, as the Pacers organization knows they’d have more options to strike a deal with the Celtics than anyone.

However, Boston may look to court head coach Brad Stevens’ best player from his Butler days by signing Utah Jazz swingman Gordon Hayward in free agency. Hayward is like 85 percent of George, but doesn’t have the injury history, nor would Boston have to give up anything to sign him as an unrestricted free agent this summer. Boston’s corps would look drastically different with George on it. Good, but different.

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