Fansided

NBA Free Agency 2018: 5 offseason targets for the Los Angeles Lakers

By Luke Norris

Lakers (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
Lakers (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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SALT LAKE CITY, UT – APRIL 21: Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts to a call in the second half during Game Three of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 21, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Jazz beat the Thunder 115-102. 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 Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – APRIL 21: Paul George #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder reacts to a call in the second half during Game Three of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 21, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Jazz beat the Thunder 115-102. 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 Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

2. Paul George

Now we’re getting into those crazy max deals that everyone has been talking about for a long time and one name that comes up more than most (pretty much everyone except number one) is Los Angeles native Paul George. While technically not a free agent yet, George is expected to opt out of the last year of the five-year, $91.5 million contract that he signed with the Pacers back in 2014. After being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder ahead of this past season, the five-time NBA All-Star posted 21.9 points on 43 percent shooting while also shooting just over 40 percent from beyond the arc.

Playing alongside Russell Westbrook certainly isn’t for everyone and George is going to have to make that decision very soon. For certain stretches throughout the season, the Thunder looked very strong and even dominated the Golden State Warriors on a couple of occasions. However, when it got down to it, the chemistry was lacking and they were soundly beaten by the Utah Jazz in the opening round of the playoffs, leaving most to think that George is on his way home.

Not only does Paul George bring plenty of offense to the table, he can play the other side of the floor as well. He’s made the All-NBA Defensive First Team once and the second team twice, making him one of the premier two-way players in the game. For an L. A. kid to end up on the Lakers is a dream and while it’s nowhere close to being a done deal, this looks promising.

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