There have been plenty of Los Angeles Lakers rumors in recent weeks. That is what happens with an event as big as the 2017 NBA Draft right around the corner.
There were rumors earlier in the month involving their starting backcourt, D’Angelo Russell, and Jordan Clarkson. Both had their names pop up in trade rumors as the Lakers could use the No. 2 pick on UCLA point guard, Lonzo Ball.
Recently, the Lakers were in talks to move up in the draft. Magic Johnson is a big fan of Washington point guard, Markelle Fultz. The Lakers tried but ultimately came up short. It looks like a deal will be completed between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers involving the No. 1 pick.
Things could change before the draft on Thursday, but for now, the Lakers will be picking second and 28th. While the Lakers may not have been able to complete a trade this weekend, they still seem to have received some good news.
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According to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, Paul George has told the Indiana Pacers that he plans to leave the team as a free agent in 2018. How does this affect the Lakers you ask? Well, the Lakers are reportedly George’s preferred destination in free agency.
Wojnarowski also said that George has not asked for a trade from the Pacers, but he wanted to be forthright with the franchise and let them know his intentions to avoid confusion. George plans on playing the upcoming 2017-18 season with the Pacers but wanted to give them a chance to plan accordingly for a future that won’t include him.
In free agency, the Lakers can offer George a four-year, $130 million deal, compared to five-years, $177 from the Pacers. George missed out on an even bigger contract extension because he did not land on an All-NBA team. Had he landed on one of those teams, he could have been offered a five-year, $207 million deal by the Pacers via the Designated Player Veteran Exception.
The Lakers have to be feeling good about hearing this news, while it is devastating for the Pacers. Indiana is handcuffed now in trying to get any value for George. Wojnarowski says that the Pacers chances of trading George are very limited, possibly even crippled, with NBA executives believing George is dead set on landing with the Lakers in free agency.
This could be a huge boon to the Lakers for their rebuild. They have gone about things the right away, putting a young core in place with high ceilings. If they are able to sign George, they would instantly become a much more attractive landing spot for other free agents. Such as, potentially, LeBron James.
If George is set on signing with the Lakers next offseason, Los Angeles is in a great position. They can essentially hold the Pacers hostage in trade negotiations if they want to acquire him before he hits free agency. Or, they could hold steady, hope George doesn’t change his mind, and sign him without trading any assets to the Pacers.
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The Lakers have to be happy hearing this news. They not only can add an impact player with the second overall pick this week, but it sounds like they will be adding a franchise player to the fold next offseason as well.