Lakers Rumors: Paul George recruiting players to join him in L.A.
By Asha Doucet
The Paul George to Los Angeles Lakers rumors continues as new reports surface about George reaching out to players in an attempt to woo them to Los Angeles with him in 2018.
Los Angeles Lakers rumors surrounding Paul George continue to pop up. Despite the George to the Lakers trade rumors seeming to have died down, that hasn’t stopped George’s pursuit of the purple and gold.
It seems as if George has moved on from the possibility of being traded to L.A. and is now trying to do his best LeBron James impression by constructing his own “super team”.
Former Golden State Warriors guard Kelenna Azubuike said on 97.5 The Game that George has reached out to Klay Thompson about joining him on the Lakers.
"He has definitely has put in a call to Klay Thompson and he would like to play with him in LA." -Kelenna Azubuike on Paul George & LA.
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) June 27, 2017
Recruiting Thompson is a smart move on George’s part. Klay grew up in Southern California and could give in to the “coming home” narrative that’s popular in the NBA. Thompson’s father, Mychal Thompson, also happens to be a former Laker great. That might entice Klay to follow in his father’s footsteps and try to get a ring in L.A.
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Much of this scenario will be predicated on the Warriors’ success. If Golden State wins a second-consecutive title and Thompson winds up with three rings in four years, maybe he’ll consider moving on having accomplished so much.
But, on the other hand, staying with his Warriors team will ensure him a title run for years to come, and all accounts say he and the rest of Golden State’s core will stay put.
Azubuike went on to suggest George has even reached out to LeBron James. This isn’t hard to believe considering the rumors that connected James to Los Angeles immediately after the NBA Finals.
"“He’s definitely put in calls to Klay Thompson, he’s talked to LeBron James, and he’s trying to see if he can figure out who can come with him to the Lakers. I doubt, highly doubt that Klay Thompson will end up leaving the Warriors,”"
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In the grand scheme of things, these reports don’t mean much. Chances are Thompson stays put and even if James does come out West, there’s no guarantee it’s to be a Laker. But this scenario further proves George’s adamancy to join the Lakeshow and that any other team trading for him would be doing so as a rental.