Thunder GM ‘really encouraged’ by conversations with Paul George
Paul George said after he was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder that he would be dumb to not consider re-signing with the team if they were a contender, which is why it makes sense that he is leaning toward leaving after a first-round playoff exit. However, you wouldn’t know that by listening to general manager Sam Presti.
In his end-of-season news conference on Wednesday, Presti said he has had an open dialogue with George and has been “really encouraged” by their conversations.
Presti says dialogue with Paul George “has really encouraged us.”
— Brett Dawson (@BDawsonWrites) May 2, 2018
Presti: From the day PG arrived, Thunder made an effort to build a relationship with him and his team built on collaboration, transparency and trust, and he feels good about that relationship.
— Brett Dawson (@BDawsonWrites) May 2, 2018
Presti talks about the “extremely, extremely exciting” possibility of having Westbrook, George and Adams together in their primes with postseason experience.
— Brett Dawson (@BDawsonWrites) May 2, 2018
According to a report from earlier in the week, George is expected to leave OKC for another team this summer. Perhaps he will change his mind and want to continue playing with Russell Westbrook, but the way the season ended does not help the Thunder’s chances.
George, 28, averaged 21.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game in his first season with Oklahoma City. The Thunder were eliminated from the playoffs in six games by the Utah Jazz, and Carmelo Anthony is already questioning his role with the team going forward. Of the three big stars, it’s a definite possibility that Westbrook will be the only one returning next year.