Can the Oklahoma City Thunder Re-Sign Paul George Next Summer?
Paul George's desire to join the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2018 offseason has never been a secret. The Oklahoma City Thunder already knew this when they acquired him in the trade with the Indiana Pacers earlier this summer, but they had to take the risk to show Russell Westbrook that they are willing to make big moves to build a team around him.
However, a lot has changed since then. The Thunder also managed to swing a deal to acquire Carmelo Anthony a couple of weeks ago, and last week, Westbrook finally agreed to sign a five-year, $205-million extension and commit his long-term future to Oklahoma City. Just like that, the Thunder have put together a new super team that could challenge for a title for years to come.
There's still one problem, though. The Thunder still have to convince George to re-sign next summer. But according to TNT's David Aldridge, the four-time All-Star seems to be warming up to the idea of staying in Oklahoma City beyond the 2017–18 season and he's going to give them the chance to convince him to stay.
"According to a source familiar with him, George will listen in good faith to what the Thunder have to say," Aldridge said.
"The source says George has been impressed by the culture of the Thunder and how meticulous general manager Sam Presti and the organization are in building the roster and the franchise. George was impressed that the front office 'had the (guts),' in the source's words, to put everything on the line in getting him, and followed it up by getting Anthony without giving up any of the team's core group," he added.
Well, that's bad news for the Lakers. The Thunder already let Kevin Durant slip through their fingers, so they are going to do everything possible to convince George to stay long term.
If they make some noise in the playoffs, George will have to really consider re-signing with the Thunder because he may never get another chance to team up with players like Westbrook and Anthony.
