Fansided

NBA Free Agency 2018: 5 potential destinations for Paul George

By Jeremy Lambert

OAKLAND, CA - FEBRUARY 06: Paul George
OAKLAND, CA - FEBRUARY 06: Paul George /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
HOUSTON, TX – APRIL 7: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets handles the ball against Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 7, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – APRIL 7: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets handles the ball against Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 7, 2018 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

4. Houston Rockets

The Rockets have made no secret about their desire to add a third star alongside Chris Paul and James Harden. They’ll be in the LeBron James sweepstakes and if they fail to land him, they’ll turn their attention to George.

Both Houston and Oklahoma City went all-in last offseason in their effort to takedown the Warriors. The Thunder never got a chance, flaming out in spectacular fashion in the first round. The Rockets were one game away from knocking off the defending champions. If Chris Paul doesn’t get injured, they might be playing the Cleveland Cavaliers right now. The Rockets proved to be a contender all season and only strengthened their claim in the playoffs. Adding another All-Star puts them that much closer to Golden State’s level.

George would have to sacrifice more than he did in Oklahoma City to fit in with the Rockets. Their isolation heavy system would have him standing around more often than not. James Harden is the best isolation player in the league. Chris Paul was in the 90th percentile amongst isolation players. George? He finished in the 54th percentile, scoring 173 points on 199 isolation possessions.

He’d see more ISO opportunities in Houston, but he’d be the third best option behind Harden and Paul. If he’s comfortable turning into even more of a spot-up shooter, Houston makes a lot of sense for him. He was in the 92nd percentile as a spot-up shooter this past season. Basically, he’d be Houston’s version of Klay Thompson. Maybe he wants more than that. But Thompson is a week away from his third ring. 

Home/NBA Free Agency