The Utah Jazz ending the Thunder’s season in six games meant that Oklahoma City could turn its undivided attention to this offseason, namely its efforts to re-sign All-Star wing Paul George if (and when) he declines his player option for $20.7 million. While there’s been plenty of chatter about what George wants to do, George has been tight lipped about what he’s thinking as he likely becomes an unrestricted free agent.
While the Carmelo Anthony situation needs to figure itself out, getting George to come back and spurn teams like the Lakers and Clippers has to be the Thunder’s No. 1 priority this summer. While a report indicated that George has basically made up his mind to leave, Thunder GM Sam Presti said during a media appearance on Wednesday afternoon that he doesn’t necessarily agree that’s the case based on his conversations with the All-Star.
Presti says dialogue with Paul George “has really encouraged us.”
— Brett Dawson (@BDawsonWrites) May 2, 2018
“I talked to PG, why don’t we listen to Paul, he’s had a lot of things to say to. I’d rather listen to the man himself.” Presti on the report yesterday on Paul George leaving OKC.
— Brady Trantham (@BradyDoesSports) May 2, 2018
It’s important to remember that general managers will never say “our conversations with him have been terrible” when there’s a chance that a player is considering re-signing, but still, Presti is saying the right things when it comes to George. That includes his commitment to doing whatever it takes financially to bring George back.
Presti says re: how willing the organization is to pay an expensive tax bill to re-sign Paul George, "The answer to that would be affirmative."
— Fred Katz (@FredKatz) May 2, 2018
The Thunder are one of those small-market teams that is assumed to never want to get deep into the luxury tax, so saying that they’re willing to pay any price as a commitment to George is a nice public gesture. George has a major decision to make this summer, one that could have a lasting impact on the immediate and long-term future of his current team, and Presti sounds like he is prepared to do whatever it takes to keep his star in Oklahoma.
