Paul George isn’t the biggest name on a free agent market that includes LeBron James and Kevin Durant (well, sort of) but the talented forward is a significant factor in what should be an insane NBA offseason. On the heels of an ugly end to the season for the Oklahoma City Thunder in his first season with the organization, many believed that George was likely on his way out the door in favor of greener pastures. In fact, betting odds dictated early in the process that the Lakers were significant favorites to land his services, with the incumbent Thunder lagging significantly behind.
However, Marc Stein of the New York Times (as part of his newsletter) indicated on Tuesday that it may be time to pump the brakes with regard to the assumption that George won’t be returning to play with Russell Westbrook in Oklahoma City.
There is a growing belief around the league that Oklahoma City has a far better chance to retain the free agent-to-be Paul George than many believed when the Thunder crashed out of the first round of the playoffs. As George prepares to field the Lakers’ long-anticipated interest, his willingness to post an Instagram picture of himself last month from a hospital bed after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee has helped to fuel the notion in some corners that he’s in no rush to leave OKC.
The notion of a “growing belief” in his potential allegiance to the Thunder is an interesting one on a number of levels. George turned 28 in May and, while he may not jump to take the most available salary over the most number of years, it might not be a bad idea for a player in his prime but at an age where a decline, no matter how slight, could begin shortly.
There would be advantages in declining his player option and signing a massive deal in Oklahoma City but, in the same breath, George can command a four-year maximum deal from a number of teams (headlined by the Philadelphia 76ers in addition to the aforementioned Lakers) and it would be tough to definitively say that his best chance for long-term team success would come with the Thunder.
Of course, it has to be noted that George may simply enjoy Oklahoma City and it isn’t as if the Thunder are barren of talent, with Russell Westbrook and Steven Adams still on the roster. Only George and his representation know the priorities at this early stage but, between now and July 1, it would reportedly be a mistake to envision George’s options and not include the Thunder.
