The Indiana Pacers are looking to trade Paul George, with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Lakers leading the pack in the rumored destinations.
The day has finally come: We know Paul George is leaving the Indiana Pacers.
The signs were apparent for some time, but Sunday was the first time it could be said with absolute certainty. It isn’t a fun day for Indiana Pacers fans, but for the franchise, it is time to start working on the future.
According to ESPN’s Zach Lowe, the talk around the league is that the Pacers will move quickly to get a deal done. With the draft just a few days away, it is in Indiana’s best interest to get a deal done before teams get overly committed to their plans.
Sense from teams talking to IND is that Pacers intend to move fast on a PG deal.
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) June 19, 2017
These situations are always fluid, but that is the general take right now.
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) June 19, 2017
Before today it was just Twitter talk, but now we also know that the idea of Paul George playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers is more than just an idea. Yahoo’s Adrian Wojnarowski and the Indy Star’s Nate Taylor both reported that Indiana is in talks with Cleveland.
I can confirm @WojVerticalNBA's report that the Pacers have had early talks with Cavaliers in terms of a trade involving Paul George.
— Nate Taylor (@ByNateTaylor) June 18, 2017
We discussed a potential Cavaliers trade previously but mostly as a mental exercise.
What parts might be involved aren’t public, but the Pacers can put pressure on the Los Angeles Lakers to up the ante if the talks get serious. With rumors saying Paul George prefers the Lakers, any pressure on them to act now is leverage for Indiana. There are multiple things PG might be looking for in a team, and the location isn’t the only one.
Sitting on the sideline for PG could backfire in LAL. Short term could turn long-term when surrounded by a championship level team.
— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) June 18, 2017
Two NBA sources expect Lakers to parachute into Paul George talks if the Cavs are closing in on a deal. Unclear if #2 would be on the table.
— Kevin O'Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) June 19, 2017
#Cavs and #Pacers talks have a feel of multiple players being involved. Indy wants a deal done before Thursday's draft. #NBA
— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) June 19, 2017
Sources: Indiana's Kevin Pritchard engaging teams on trading Paul George, but so far, not Lakers. There's a rental market, but how robust? https://t.co/oM9XrATMr9
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 18, 2017
Indiana needs to get anything out of a trade and at least start a mild tank job soon as well. I wouldn’t be surprised if C.J. Miles and Jeff Teague sign elsewhere while the Pacers start shopping Thaddeus Young. Young is the only one there under contract, but today’s news all but guarantees that Miles is leaving while Teague might stick around to give the team veteran leadership.
Next: Monta Ellis used marijuana. Who cares?
It is a tough day for the Indiana Pacers as an era of basketball comes to an end, but at least the team can focus on what’s next instead of waiting in limbo any longer.