Paul George is a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder after he’s already gotten a strong first impression of the franchise from Kevin Durant. But no matter what happens this season, until George signs a contract with a new team he will be linked to the Los Angeles Lakers.
It’s thought that Paul has made it clear he wants to play in LA, his hometown, but George fought back against those assumptions in an interview with Sports Illustrated that was published on Tuesday. George said that—while he grew up in LA and “idolized” Kobe, he just wants to find a team where he can win.
“I grew up a Lakers and a Clippers fan,” George says. “I idolized Kobe. There will always be a tie here, a connection here. People saying I want to come here, who doesn’t want to play for their hometown? That’s a dream come true, if you’re a kid growing up on the outskirts of L.A., to be the man in your city. But it’s definitely been overstated. For me, it’s all about winning. I want to be in a good system, a good team. I want a shot to win it. I’m not a stats guy. I’m playing this game to win and build a legacy of winning. I’ve yet to do that. I’m searching for it. If we get a killer season in Oklahoma, we make the conference finals or upset the Warriors or do something crazy, I’d be dumb to want to leave that.”
That’s a pretty high bar to set for Russell Westbrook and the Thunder this season, but it’s a good point. If he and Russ play well together and can make something special happen in Oklahoma City, he doesn’t have to leave town to get what he’s looking for. Besides, George said the Lakers are far from being competitive just yet.
“It’s too early for L.A.,” he says. “It would have to be a situation where the ball gets rolling and guys are hopping on. This guy commits, that guy commits. ‘Oh s—, now there’s a team forming.’ It has to be like that.”
I doubt it throws any water on the speculation that he ends up playing with Lonzo Ball at the Staples Center next fall, but at least George is no longer staying mum and letting rumors control his free agent narrative.
