One of the top free agents that are expected to be available this offseason is Paul George. Do the Los Angeles Lakers still have a shot to sign him?
For quite some time, the Los Angeles Lakers have been trying to create as much cap space as possible in order to be big players in the 2018 offseason. However, those plans have recently changed a bit.
Clearing enough cap space to sign two max free agents was possible for the Lakers, but it might have hurt them severely if they didn’t sign two superstars. Now, the Lakers have appeared to refocus their efforts more on the 2019 offseason.
While having more cap space in 2019 might be the goal now, the Lakers will have enough cap space to sign a player like Paul George this offseason, who they have coveted. This past offseason, George was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, which on paper created a great combo with him and Russell Westbrook.
The Thunder had some struggles early on this season, but they are now currently fifth in the Western Conference, and the team is playing much better. This offseason, George will have some big decisions to make regarding his future. Recently, he spoke with Sam Amick of USA Today. Here’s what he had to say.
"“Well, I mean I’m happy here,” George said. “I’m happy here. I’m happy with this group. At the end of the season, it’s still on my decision on what I need to do for my family. That has nothing to do with my happiness here though. I’ve been really happy. It’s a great organization to be a part of, but again, you know, I don’t want people looking at this and (saying) like, ‘Hey, because he said it’s his happiness at the end of the day (that he’s definitely re-signing)."
George comments on being happy in Oklahoma City with Westbrook and Carmelo Anthony, however, he also mentions that he has to do what is best for the family. Sometimes in free agency, families get overlooked in the decision. Even though the Thunder are certainly a contender with their Big 3 in the West, their success won’t be the only thing on his mind come free agency.
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As we head toward the trade deadline and the playoffs, there are clearly a lot of factors that are going to be going into George’s decision. For the Lakers, they will have the cap space to sign him, but they will need to do a good job selling George on things outside of basketball.