For the past couple of weeks the biggest ongoing question regarding the NBA has been what will happen with Paul George. Plenty of teams have been mentioned as potential landing spots, but with George rumored to be set on joining the Los Angeles Lakers in a year, teams were hesitant on giving up too much.
One team that hasn’t been mentioned in any rumors was the Oklahoma City Thunder, who badly need someone to help out reigning MVP Russell Westbrook. That means absolutely nothing however, as Ramona Shelburne of ESPN reports that George has been traded to the Thunder:
Paul George has been traded to OKC, per sources
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 1, 2017
The exact parts of the deal haven’t been made official yet, but Shelburne reports that Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis are expected to be apart of the trade:
Hearing Oladipo and Sabonis going to Indy
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 1, 2017
This is a deal that came out of nowhere as very few people saw the Thunder as a legitimate candidate to land George, but the Pacers are getting a couple of young players and George will be on a playoff team in Oklahoma City.
The question now turns to whether George will remain with the Thunder beyond this season. Even with George, the Thunder are unlikely to challenge the likes of Golden State, Houston, Cleveland, and San Antonio.
This could turn out to be a good case for the Lakers. If George remains intent on coming to Los Angeles next summer, Oklahoma City doesn’t seem to be a team that could challenge for a championship and keep George there.
Plenty can change until that time, but once again another big name has changed addresses before free agency has even begun.
