While many players are hesitant to discuss trade requests that went public, Paul George hasn’t shied away from the topic as his Thunder visited Los Angeles, explaining earlier this week why he didn’t regret that his desire to play for the Lakers became known.
Both before and after OKC’s matchup with the Lakers on Wednesday night, George went into a little more detail on his upcoming free agency, his current team, and his hometown city. Here are a few of the star forward’s noteworthy comments from the last couple days:
On his 2018 free agency and the Thunder’s chance to re-sign him (via ESPN):
“This summer will be huge. I’ve got a lot to think about. If we’re trending, if we’re going in the right direction, if I feel there is something that we’re building, and there’s a foundation — it would be kind of clueless, just stupid on my behalf to up and leave.”
On not needing to win a title with the Thunder this season in order to seriously consider re-signing:
“I’m very conscious that we’re only together for a year so far, and we continue to go in an upward trend. It’s best to stick with what we have and work on building. So, I wouldn’t say it’s championship or bust, or championship and I’m out. It’s all about building. If I like where we’re building or the level that we’re going at, it would be stupid to walk away from that.”
On the adjustments he, Carmelo Anthony, and Russell Westbrook have had to make:
“The biggest change was myself, Melo, telling Russ he has to be who he is. All of us were kind of afraid to step on toes, deferring. I felt at times Russ was looking to get others involved when sometimes he has shots that he has to take, and it was throwing everybody out of rhythm. Now he knows that we got his back. We trust him, he trusts us. We got a rhythm. We’ve all been shooting the ball well lately. We’re in a group, we’re relaxed, we’re comfortable out there.”
On being transparent this week about his love for Los Angeles (via Royce Young):
“The fact of the matter is I’m from here and I love being here but that has nothing to do with my decision with where I’m going to be playing at the end of the day.”
Handling the situation well, Thunder should probably ditch Melo after the season, resign George and fill in that roster with some sharpshooters and other efficient offensive players
The thunder cannot ditch melo after this
season melo has a player option.
He’s going to LA. I just can’t see him re-upping with OKC. Just not enough to get them past GS or Houston.