Fansided

5 lottery teams that should be calling the Pacers about Paul George

By Akash Anavarathan

Apr 20, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) runs onto the floor before playing 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) runs onto the floor before playing 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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Dec 22, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat president Pat Riley honors former center Shaquille O Neal Jersey number (32) retirement banner is raised into the rafters at the American Airlines Arena during a half time ceremony against the Los Angeles Lakers. O Neal has become the third Heat player to have his jersey retired with former Heat players Alonzo Mourning and Tim Hardaway. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat president Pat Riley honors former center Shaquille O Neal Jersey number (32) retirement banner is raised into the rafters at the American Airlines Arena during a half time ceremony against the Los Angeles Lakers. O Neal has become the third Heat player to have his jersey retired with former Heat players Alonzo Mourning and Tim Hardaway. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Miami Heat

Once home to Dwyane Wade and LeBron James, South Beach invites any superstar and makes them feel at home. Pat Riley is salivating at the thought of possibly adding Paul George via trade. The Miami Heat lost Wade, LeBron and Chris Bosh in a span of a few years and almost made the playoffs this past season on the backs of Dion Waiters and Goran Dragic.

Riley is one of those executives in the league that you have to bet on succeeding, no matter the circumstances. The front office and ownership in Miami isn’t afraid to take risks and splash in free agency, which is one of the reasons they were able to be competing for championships a few seasons ago.

Miami will have budding stars in Goran Dragic and Hassan Whiteside. If Dion Waiters can play the way he did in the second half of the season before his injury, they could have some real depth. They also have some younger players that stepped up for them, like Justise Winslow. Coach Erik Spoelstra should be in the running for Coach of the Year, even though he probably won’t win it. Miami has the No. 14 pick and would probably need to send Winslow or at least one of their other young guards to make this work.

Adding Paul George to the mix would instantly supplant Miami as one of the top-five seeds in the Eastern Conference next season. George is young and fills a need at small forward for the Heat. Pat Riley isn’t afraid to make the franchise-altering decision and purely thinks business. It’s a deal that the Heat would do in a heartbeat for their lottery pick.

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