The Oklahoma City Thunder were willing to risk trading for Paul George even if they only get to keep him for one season, though George insists he has not made up his mind about where he will end up next summer. And those close to him say the star swingman is not lying.
Royce Young of ESPN says he was told by a source with “direct knowledge” of George’s thinking that the 27-year-old is keeping a truly open mind heading into his first season outside of Indiana.
It seems open and shut from the outside, that the Thunder are renting George for a season and will be reduced to watching another star player leave them. But people connected to George push back against the narrative, suggesting the picture is not as clear as some think it is. A source close to George with direct knowledge into his thinking put it this way: “Everything is on the table with Paul, and anything is possible.”
George is “really excited” to join the Thunder and Westbrook, according to the source, and views this season as an open-ended opportunity. Because when it comes down to whatever George decides next summer, the source said, “Winning is his top priority.”
The overwhelming consensus, of course, has been that George wants to play for the Los Angeles Lakers. George grew up a Lakers fan in L.A., and he has admitted that he always dreamed of playing for his hometown team. However, he understands that he is joining a talented team and will be playing alongside MVP candidate Russell Westbrook. If the Lakers appear nowhere near contention next season and the Thunder have a good year, George would have plenty of thinking to do.
Judging by what George said earlier in the week, it seems as though there is a legitimate chance he could re-sign with Oklahoma City. Although, the Western Conference is so loaded that making a deep playoff run could prove to be a huge challenge.
