Everything that could happen Paul George this summer

5. Nothing

As it goes with a lot of these rumors, Paul George’s situation could remain completely unchanged this summer. The Pacers’ front office could decide that no trade proposal is acceptable and try to push the negotiations to the trade deadline in February. Offers will arguably be worse at that point, but plenty of front offices still elect this option every year.

Maybe Kevin Pritchard even decides that he’ll try to sign George to a new contract in the summer of 2018. Indiana will have George’s bird rights after all, so they’ll be able to offer him an extra year and higher annual raises than any other team. Maybe Pritchard will have reason to believe that that’s enough to keep George around.

The Pacers have limited ways to improve their roster this summer, thanks to the contracts of Monta Ellis and Al Jefferson, so it will be difficult to sell this team as a contender to a guy who’s hitting unrestricted free agency for the first time in his career. That said, it’s entirely possible that Pritchard feels the team is better off trying to re-sign George than taking a less than favorable trade package because they’re afraid of losing him for nothing.

Next: C.J. Miles will opt out this summer

We have no way of knowing where Paul George will be next year, but I can guarantee that the rumors will be flying every which way until we do.