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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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Apr 7, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers president for basketball operations acknowledges the fans as he attends the game against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center. Lakers won 98-94. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Lakers president for basketball operations acknowledges the fans as he attends the game against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center. Lakers won 98-94. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Los Angeles Lakers

“I’m coming home, tell the world I’m coming home.”

Paul George hasn’t been secretive about his love for Los Angeles. He’s a native of the Southern California area and played college basketball at Fresno State.

George idolizes Kobe Bryant and even used to wear No. 24 in honor of Bryant. He announced on the Jimmy Kimmel Live show that he’s going to be working out with the Lakers’ superstar and picking his brain on basketball matters.

Ever since Magic Johnson has taken over the Lakers, it seems like they’re about to turn it around soon. They have young prospects with star potential in Brandon Ingram and D’Angelo Russell. Julius Randle is a solid role player in this league and would look great alongside Paul George. Jordan Clarkson is another guy that the Lakers can lean on in the future as well. Some of that core would need to go to Indiana, along with the No. 2 pick, but they’d still have plenty left to compete with.

Los Angeles was terrible this past season, but with Johnson and Rob Pelinka at the helm, they have a chance to turn around this team quickly. The lure of Los Angeles and the mystique of the Lakers’ organization always has a chance to add quality free agents.

They’ll have a lot of cap space this summer and a vacant spot at small forward next to Ingram. The first call that Johnson should make is to the Indiana Pacers about adding Paul George, even if it means giving up the No. 2 pick and a shot at Lonzo Ball. The UCLA star, Ball, has a chance to be great in the NBA, but George is a superstar already and is willing to come to LA and take on the challenge of turning around of this team.

Next: 5 teams who should trade for D’Angelo Russell

Paul George has seemed frustrated with the Pacers and it would be crazy if they didn’t ponder moving him for assets in return. These five lottery teams should definitely make the call for George, even if it means they have to give up a chance for a top draft pick.

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