George has an opt-out clause in his agreement with the Pacers, allowing him to walk away from his contract and play where he chooses to.
The Indiana Pacers and Los Angeles Lakers have opened up discussions about a potential Paul George trade in the run-up to Thursday's National Basketball Association draft, according to Marc Stein and Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.
While Russell and a late first-round pick are not much to give up for an All-Star caliber player such as George, it still seems interesting that the Lakers are willing to give up anything in order to get a player who has all but guaranteed that he will sign with you next summer.
A deal with the Lakers might be harder to work out as that franchise is aiming to build around the young players it has been collecting in recent seasons. Cost should be the only thing the Lakers are concerned about. The Pacers are shopping George to several NBA teams, with the goal of getting a deal done before the NBA Draft. George's value is plummeting by the day, especially with the sense he's ticketed for Los Angeles next summer. However, they would have to decide whether or not it's worth it to part ways with Irving or Love (or both, depending on what the Pacers ask for). Such a move could ensure that the team is poised to take a significant step forward. Very rarely does a star with the talent that George possesses become available.
The Lakers can be modest with a trade offer.
IN also has engaged in talks with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Expect to see the Pacers come to an agreement on a George trade at some point in the next few weeks.
"One team source went as far Tuesday as saying there's "zero chance" they'd surrender Thursday night's No. 2 pick or Ingram".
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George's name was involved in trade rumors during February's trade deadline as well. The same can be said about Lakers' power forward Julius Randle.
As Wojnarowski notes, "the Lakers can create the necessary salary-cap space to sign George next summer and won't be compelled to make a dramatic offer to IN now".
Other teams are reportedly interested in Paul George.
Since the news of George's intent to depart for LA, other reports have surfaced that IN has begun searching for a trade partner that will essentially use George as a one-year rental, including Cleveland, Boston, and the Los Angeles Clippers.
Although Paul George won't leave the Indiana Pacers in a fire sale, he's firmly within the Boston Celtics' price range.
ESPN's Dave McMenamin reported Pacers' general manager Kevin Pritchard has already reached out to the Cleveland brass in hopes of working out a trade for George.
This report would seem to follow naturally on the heels of George being denied All-NBA recognition following the 2016-2017 season, and therefore precluding IN from offering him the $200 million Designated Player Extension.
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