Indiana Pacers Trade Rumors: Could Paul George Be Going To The Los Angeles Lakers?

The NBA has seen its players do whatever it takes to win a championship. And Indiana Pacers superstar forward Paul George may fall in line, too. He wants to embark on a championship run and hasn’t been close to doing so – but that could be changing.

According to The Vertical’s Adrian Wojnarowski, George informed the Pacers Sunday that he doesn't have definite plans to return next season. He will reportedly opt out of his contract in 2018 and become an unrestricted free agent.

According to Yahoo! Sports, George has his heart set on the Los Angeles Lakers, based in his home state of California. He spent his college days playing at Fresno State, and one of his favorite players is Lakers legend Magic Johnson, so the move might make perfect sense to him.

However, a few teams are looking to persuade the star forward to join up with them.

READ: Boston Celtics Rumors: Jimmy Butler Trade Coming After Sending Draft Pick To Philadelphia 76ers?

One of those hopeful teams is the Cleveland Cavaliers, who fell short of an NBA title at the hands of the Golden State Warriors in the 2017 NBA Finals. A source close to the Cavaliers told ESPN Sunday that the team is keen on starting trade talks for George even without reassurance he will sign a long-term deal in Cleveland. They are hoping that George sees them as an attractive destination.

For the trade to make sense, the only assets that would make the deal viable would be a swap for Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving, who both played pivotal roles, along with LeBron James, to get their team to the NBA Finals.

Sporting News reported Monday that the Los Angeles Clippers wanted to nab George through a possible sign-and-trade deal. The Clippers’ starters Blake Griffin, J.J. Reddick and Chris Paul and are all scheduled to become free agents this summer, putting all of them into the sign and trade conversation.

Though, this deal could be a long shot too. Bringing on George and getting rid of Paul or Griffin would possibly decrease the Clippers’ chances of competing with the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference.

READ: NBA Finals 2018 Odds: Can Anyone Beat The Warriors? Cavaliers, Spurs, Celtics Are Top Challengers

Notably, the Boston Celtics engaged in talks about George before this year’s trade deadline, and it’s likely that the inquiry will come up again. The Celtics decided to trade their first-round No. 1 pick this year in exchange for Philadelphia’s No. 3 pick and future 2018 or 2019 picks.

That gives them three likely first-round picks in 2018, and possibly between two to four first-round selections in 2019. Feasibly, the Celtics could sign George this year and add another star this summer, which could make George want to sign long term.

George always reassured that he would stay with his Pacer team when asked by Vigilant Sports, he expressed the same sentiments.

"I’m under contract as a Pacer. That’s all that needs to be really be known. I’m here. I’m a Pacer. Everything else is, again, what I’ve been dealing with. Stories, guys talking, teams talking. I’m a Pacer. There’s no way around that. This is my team, my group, and this is where I’m at," he said Thursday.