New Orleans Pelicans Are Talking to the Indiana Pacers About Paul George

ByBen Gibson|
Jan 16, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Solomon Hill (44) is defended by Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) in the second half of the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Indiana Pacers beat New Orleans Pelicans 98-95.Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 16, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Solomon Hill (44) is defended by Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) in the second half of the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Indiana Pacers beat New Orleans Pelicans 98-95.Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

The New Orleans Pelicans have made inquiries about trading for Paul George and DeMarcus Cousins according to ESPN’s Justin Verrier.

Would the Indiana Pacers trade Paul George? The New Orleans Pelicans are trying to find out.

While Indiana has reportedly said George was the only player they wouldn’t trade, once the Sacramento Kings started shopping around DeMarcus Cousins, it seems anything can happen next.

The New Orleans Pelicans emerged as a partner for the Kings, but soon after, ESPN’s Justin Verrier reported that the Pelicans were asking the Pacers about their franchise star, Paul George.

Now, inquiring is one thing, but would Indiana be willing to let Paul George go?

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It seems doubtful on the surface, but if the Pelicans were looking to land a star to pair with Anthony Davis, you couldn’t do much better than George (or Cousins) for that matter. For New Orleans, trading picks and players to build more around Davis is a solid plan.

But for Indiana? It is a bit more messy.

Despite the current unhappiness or general malaise Paul George and the Indiana Pacers are feeling, this is the first time Paul George’s name has popped up in a legitimate trade rumor. It is entirely possible that the Pacers received the Pelicans’ inquiry and laughed as they hung up, but at this point, we have no idea how they reacted.

Paul George is under contract until at least the end of next season when he will likely exercise his player option and opt out for more money. But if the Pacers know that Paul George isn’t going to come back — he hasn’t said anything solid either way, publically —then it is possible they would trade him.

If they were going to trade George, they would have to get a hefty haul of picks and players to make it happen. The Pelicans inquiry on George was likely similar to the one we see them offering the Kings.

Larry Bird hasn’t been one to tank, but if enough assets were involved, perhaps he can see a future with Jeff Teague and Myles Turner.

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The Pelicans called, but this doesn’t seem like the move the Indiana Pacers want to make right now.