The Indiana Pacers front office passed on all trade offers for Paul George, but retaining the All-Star forward comes at a price. That price is the certainty of their future.
Paul George wants to win now, and it appears the Indiana Pacers do too, as they have elected to keep the highly-coveted superstar. But, is winning now really a possibility in Indiana with their current roster? A Golden State Warriors and Cleveland Cavaliers finals rematch appears inevitable, and it is evident that many NBA organizations believe that.
The majority of the league’s teams have been actively vying to stockpile draft picks and add young players. The trend in the NBA looks to be one centered on building for the future in a league no longer dominated by the Warriors and Cavs.
Outside of the top 4 teams in each conference, no teams look to be focused on winning now except for the Thunder and the New Orleans “Boogies”. Oh, and the Eastern conference’s 6th place Indiana Pacers who now have no other choice but to win now given their trade deadline moves, or lack thereof. If they don’t win now, Paul George will walk in the summer of 2019 and Indiana will have put years of future success in jeopardy.
Indiana Must Win Now
The trade deadline has come, and the Indiana Pacers left a lot on the table.
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Specifically, the blockbuster trade offers from the Los Angeles Lakers, Boston Celtics, and Denver Nuggets, but also the offers that could have been made by Larry Legend and Co. Rising young players and draft picks were missed on, and the possibility of an upgrade at the shooting guard position or backup forward position has passed.
It’s time for Indiana to look in the mirror and realize what they are and what they could be. The Pacers began the season with lofty expectations and were destined to be among the league’s top teams. The second-half of the NBA season should serve as a benchmark for future decisions. It will also seal the fate of Paul George’s future in Indiana. It’s a stretch to believe this team could win a championship this season or even the next. But if they can contend like the Indiana Pacers of 2011-2014 teams did, Paul George may just stick around the Hoosier state and make the Pacers front office look like geniuses.
The urgency to win now in Indiana is undeniable and the front office is feeling the pressure. The decision to keep PG13 and try to win now has put future success in jeopardy for the hope of immediate success. All for a player that has expressed interest in leaving if winning is not accomplished. Paul George simply wants to win, and how can you blame him? All the greats do. His desire to do so simply leaves Indiana with their hands tied.
Next: That Time When O.J. Mayo Was Almost Traded to the Pacers
Building for the future could have started today, but the Pacers chose to put that plan on hold. This decision may be costly, but costly isn’t always attached to negativity. Especially if the current Indiana Pacers become who they were supposed to be.