NBA 2016 Rumors: Boston, LA Chasing Paul George? Larry Bird Not Budging Unless a Win-Win Deal is in the Works
Paul George is a potential game-changer for any NBA team. The incumbent face of the Indiana Pacers franchise comes off a brilliant year—from a stellar regular season performance, to a brief postseason stint, to winning gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
That said, it is inevitable for the 26-year-old superstar to yet again make noise on trade rumors. His top suitors are two historic rivals and the most decorated teams in the league; the Boston Celtics and the Los Angeles Lakers.
However, for Celtic legend and Pacers president Larry Bird, history and prestige is not enough to get the future of Indiana basketball. Boston and Los Angeles would have to lay their best cards on the table, all for a risky shot at a title run.
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The Celtics had been busy the past offseason. They were ready to go all in during the Kevin Durant sweepstakes. To boost their chances, they signed veteran Al Horford to add to a solid young core of Isaiah Thomas, Avery Bradley, Jae Crowder and Marcus Smart.
With Durant joining the Golden State Warriors, Danny Ainge's bid to get a superstar and chase the franchise's 15th title is left unfinished.
Enter PG-13, who averaged 23.1 points, 7.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.9 steals a game last season, can be the big name Boston needs to get back into championship form. The 6'10" small forward came back surging from a broken leg in 2014, to carry his team and earn the Comeback Player of the Year award from the National Basketball Players' Association.
The Celtics are reportedly willing to offer Isaiah Thomas and Jae Crowder for a potential trade. Thomas broke out during the 2015-16 season and became the centerpiece of a playoff-bound Boston team. Jae Crowder, meanwhile, was one of the best perimeter defenders in the league.
Post-Kobe era
The Lakers are also looking to get George to play for them. The Hollywood team is not exactly the destination it was before—the franchise had slipped to the bottom of the standings in recent years.
With the retirement of future Hall-of-Famer Kobe Bryant, the Lakers need a new Messianic star to raise them back to playoff contention. They do have a potential star in D'Angelo Russell, but George would be so much better as an option. That said, Los Angeles is rumored to be offering Russell and 2016 No. 2 overall pick Brandon Ingram for the Pacers star.
Whichever team gets the top-tier player, Bird has all the right to demand for a win-win trade. The Pacers' starters aren't exactly championship quality without George, and Bird is not currently interested in any deal that does not involve Kevin Durant.
