After weeks of negotiations and rumors involving Paul George, the Pacers surprised NBA insiders and fans alike by agreeing to trade the All-Star forward to the Thunder tonight in exchange for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis. Shock waves are still echoing from the deal that upstaged the first night of free agency:
- Even today, the Celtics believed they were in a good position to acquire George, writes Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe. The Celtics made several attempts to work out a deal with Indiana, a source tells Himmelsbach, including an offer at the February deadline that entailed this year’s first-round pick from the Nets, which wound up No. 1 overall, along with three future first-rounders. Boston was confident that two years of playoffs with George would have been enough to change his mind about joining the Lakers. Talks resumed just before the draft, and the Celtics’ offer was changed to three starters and two first-rounders, but not this year’s pick from the Nets or next year’s from the Lakers. The offer evolved into two starters and three picks, but it wasn’t enough to convince the Pacers.
- Thunder GM Sam Presti had quietly been trying to acquire George for several weeks, according to Royce Young of ESPN.com. The Pacers wanted players and picks, which Oklahoma City didn’t have, and Presti wasn’t able to find a third team willing to facilitate the deal. However, Indiana’s asking price dropped Friday and Presti was ready to pounce. One danger to the deal, Young notes, is that George and Russell Westbrook can both become free agents next summer and both hail from southern California, creating the possibility that George may try to recruit his new teammate to join him on the Lakers.
- There was “genuine surprise” in Boston that the Pacers accepted Oklahoma City’s deal, tweets Chris Mannix of The Vertical. The Celtics believed their offer gave Indiana a better path toward rebuilding.
- The Thunder had nothing to lose in gambling on George, claims Tim Bontemps of The Washington Post. They had to show Westbrook that he has a chance to win a title before his option decision next year. Bontemps says the deal instantly makes OKC one of the top four teams in the West next season along with the Warriors, Rockets and Spurs.
- The Trail Blazers made a strong play for George this week, according to Jason Quick of CSNNW (Twitter link). Portland submitted an offer on Monday that Quick contends was better than what the Pacers accepted from the Thunder.
- Patience helped Oklahoma City seal the trade, assesses David Aldridge of TNT (Twitter link). He notes that Presti didn’t pressure the Pacers to make the deal, but he knew they were fond of both Oladipo and Sabonis. Aldridge adds that George’s departure to the Western Conference instead of Cleveland lessens the pressure on Boston to make a panic move in response (Twitter link).
- The trade leaves Oklahoma City with about $108MM in guaranteed contracts for next season, tweets Bobby Marks of The Vertical. That figure is roughly $9MM over the salary cap and $8MM under the luxury tax.
Good god, now I’m elated the Cs didn’t get him.
The worst trade in a long time and will remain the worst for years to come. C’mon they could of at least got a first for him. They aren’t even trying to get better. Give the East to cleveland once again
Okc doesnt have any first round picks that they can trade off. Plus only the celtics and lakers(pulled out because what’s the need to rush the process) were willing to give up picks.
But didnt the cavs make a straight offer for George for love. The pacers could have even held onto him into the season to get the the best deal possible. To me it seems like they are excepting defeat. That’s just my opinion maybe I’m looking at this wrong but it seems like they made a huge mistake
The Pacers lose even more leverage if they let this go into the season. Its harder to integrate someone of George’s caliber into the team mid-season than it is in the offseason.
While it might be crazy that the Pacers possibly passed on a trade involving this year’s Brooklyn pick, it makes sense when you consider the timing. At the time, George wanted the Pacers to build a contender around him and hadn’t officially came out yet stating his preference to play in LA. While I think most GMs would’ve been tempted to make that deal, you’re still talking about the (at the time) face of the franchise and building a contender (and not trying to sell off assets for a rebuild).
Still doesn’t make any sense to me
Horrible trade. Clearly, they were less concerned with what they got back, and more concerned with not trading him in the Eastern conference. He might have decided to sign long term with the Cavs or C’s, and they didn’t want that. Still a dumb move.
Agree. But Indiana would be in no position to compete regardless. Trade him within the conference and at least have picks to rebuild with the next few years… Or give him to the western conference for players who still keeps outside of the best 5 teams in the East.
When does Ainge cash in, or go “all in”. He has way too many assets. Does he use both the Nets pick, and Lakers pick (or Sacremento pick) When is Ainge going to pounce
Next year.
(I said that last year too).
Seems like a poor return for Indiana but it seems no one was ready to give a 1st rounder for a 1year rental. I would not take Love from the Cavs instead of that deal though to be honest. You cant rebuild around an unhealthy star if you re the Pacers. And maaaan OKC got a lot better
Boston was ready to give a 1st. I don’t know what Indiana was thinking.
I don’t think Ainge was gonna pull the trigger to tell you the truth. Given the fact that he has good chance landing Hayward -who is a really good wing- he was waiting to maybe get assurance that PG was gonna resign next summer.
Ainge is stubborn… And knew he had to have the best offer on the table for George, so he played chicken with the Pacers and lost. Hayward is now a must for Ainge…
Still- the Pacers blew it here. Could’ve gotten a couple lottery #1s and at least had hope for the future.
I agree on Ainge being stubborn and of course now Hayward is a MUST. I don’t think though that any team would give up a 1st rounder for a 1year rental. And nor should they in my opinion
Boston has a bunch of 1st round picks over the next two years. I think they would’ve given one with a player or two even just for a year of George. Ainge thought if he got George, he would love Boston to sign as Garnett did years ago. I get your point though (if it’s a lottery pick), most of time not worth it.
Which lottery #1s were the Celtics offering? The Brooklyn pick was taken off the table and the LAL/SAC pick’s availability was in question. So you’re left with the Celtics’ own future picks, the Grizzlies picks, and the Clippers picks…all of which are likely to be mid-to-late first rounders barring a catastrophic injury to a core player. A first rounder is still a first rounder, but the value of the non Brooklyn/LA/SAC picks are being overvalued.
All heresy – Supposedly Crowder and Bradley going to the Pacers, as well as Brooklyns 2018 pick.
Supposedly the Pacers demanded the 2018 Lakers pick (2-5), or the Kings 2019 pick if the Lakers pick is protected. Ainge wouldn’t agree unless he was secured an extension.
Looks like Sam Presti is obvious choice to replace Phil Jackson.
Lmao
Pacers passed on a far better return from Boston. Other than trading PG out of conference, I don’t get it. Indiana got fleeced, by their GM…
There’s no way the C’s offered 4 first round picks including the Nets,it 3 starters and 2 firsts straight up for George. It must have been for George and Turner or something. There’s no way Indiana passes that up for Oladipo and Sabonis.
Sabonis is going to be a nice player, wasted in OKC. Celtics can grab Hayward and use their assets to assure themselves Michael Porter Jr in 2018 draft. I’d honestly find a taker for IT4 instead of paying him. I’d trade him to the Macs for Smith Jr and Powell.