NBA Free Agency 2017: 5 teams that should be chasing Paul George
By John Buhler
Los Angeles Lakers
West, Pacific
George is a Southern California native, having grown up outside of Los Angeles in Palmdale. He played his college ball at Fresno State. It’s easy to connect the dots that George would seriously consider playing for Southern California’s most glamorous NBA franchise in the Los Angeles Lakers.
George could conceivably sign with the Lakers in 2018 NBA free agency. It would be a good coming home for the native Angelino. Having Magic Johnson as team president with George’s idol Kobe Bryant’s former agent Rob Pelinka as general manager could be instrumental in landing George as a massive free agent two summers from now.
That being said, when is the next time Indiana will draft a player as good as George? Instead of letting him potentially walk away for nothing in summer 2018, why not look to get as much raw talent Indiana can from the Lakers organization in exchange for George?
Los Angeles wouldn’t bat an eyelash if it had to give up two future first-round picks in a deal for George. The Lakers organization realizes that it can’t have a rancid basketball team for much longer. Los Angeles is a glamor town and the Lakers need to be good, straight up.
Indiana could have more intrigue than just first-round picks for George. D’Angelo Russell could be an interesting player in the backcourt. So could Jordan Clarkson. Julius Randle or Larry Nance Jr. could give the Pacers some bite down low in a frontcourt rotational roles as well.