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Could Paul George return to the Indiana Pacers?

By Brad Berreman

BOSTON, MA - MARCH 20: Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on during a game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on March 20, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - MARCH 20: Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder looks on during a game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on March 20, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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Paul George will have some options in free agency, but is a return to the Indiana Pacers possible?

Last offseason, the trade that sent Paul George from the Indiana Pacers to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis was seen as an indicator of two franchises headed in opposite directions with different expectations for the 2017-18 season.

But the Pacers were one of the surprise teams in the league, winning 48 regular season games and taking the Cleveland Cavaliers to a Game 7 in the playoffs. The Thunder’s attempt to construct their own big three didn’t work out, as they exited the playoffs in the first round.

Now George is set to decline his player option for next season, and become arguably the top free agent on the market this summer. The Los Angeles Lakers have lingered as a potential landing spot, and George has said the right things about wanting to return to the Thunder.

But the Pacers are a team on the rise, which could appeal to free agents. So could George return after a one-season hiatus?

Pacers general manager Kevin Pritchard made an appearance on ESPN 1070 with Dan Dakich on Tuesday. The topic of bringing George back came up, with a direct question from Dakich.

"I would want to know first that he would fit us. We’re different now, Dan. One of the things we’re about, we don’t care about big names, we don’t care about big personalities we don’t care about big brands. What we care about is being humble …“Anybody that fits in, yeah we’re interested … I can’t talk on specific players. But if they don’t fit that, I’m not interested. It’s that simple."

That’s hardly a ringing endorsement of George from Pritchard. The Pacers have the salary cap space to make some sort of significant move, with decisions on player and team options for next year looming. But George will command big money on a multi-year deal, to say nothing of his fit as a star among a group of players who embraced roles and were a nice model of cohesion this year.

Next: 5 potential trade scenarios for Kawhi Leonard

The Pacers and George are no longer a fit for each other, that much is clear. But among the hypothetical free agent scenarios regarding “Playoff P”, it’s not surprising the possibility of a reunion has already come up.

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