It is well-known that the Los Angeles Lakers plan on making a huge splash this summer as the team looks to return to contention. One player who the team has reportedly always had an eye on is Indiana Pacers forward Paul George.
George is a California native who has long admitted that Kobe Bryant was his idol growing up so it makes sense that George is someone they would love to bring in if possible.
According to HBO’s Bill Simmons, the Lakers plan on making a run at acquiring George this off-season:
Also hearing that the Lakers want to make a BIG run at Paul George with their top-3 pick plus other stuff. (Not that they'd get him…)
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) May 4, 2016
Simmons also theorized that offering the top-3 pick and D’Angelo Russell could get the conversation started, but also wouldn’t be enough to ultimately land George:
If the Lakers offered Indy their top-3 pick plus Russell for PG13… I mean… I don't think Indy says yes but it's def a meeting.
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) May 4, 2016
The Lakers are trying to land a star this summer so it makes sense that they would make a run at George and a number of other big name players via trade. Landing one of these players is a different story, however.
Top-20 NBA players are difficult to come by, and it would likely take a lot for the Lakers to acquire one. Players like George, Jimmy Butler, and DeMarcus Cousins probably won’t be had only for a promising, but unproven young player and a top pick.
Of course, the Lakers keeping their pick isn’t a guarantee either, and they won’t find out until the NBA Draft Lottery on May 17. If they hold on to that top-3 protected selection, they will likely dangle it in trade talks, but what they can actually get for is still a question mark.
