While the Los Angeles Lakers have been linked to Indiana Pacers All-Star Paul George in several scenarios over the past month, their biggest move to date in the offseason was shedding Timofey Mozgov’s contract by packing him and D’Angelo Russell in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets.
That’s put the Lakers in strong position for free agency next summer, when the organization may look to sign two players at max or near-max contracts. But the Pacers are widely expected to reach a resolution with George well prior to that point.
As his future continues to hang in the balance, multiple reports have linked George to the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, and most recently the Houston Rockets in light of their trade for Chris Paul.
George was also said to have discussed with Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson the possibility of the two-time NBA champion eventually joining the Lakers.
However, Thompson denied ever having such a conversation, per Nick DePaula of The Vertical:
As for the recent Paul George / Lakers rumors, Klay Thompson shot that down & told me he hasn't spoken to PG at all lately.
— Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) June 29, 2017
Klay Thompson says his last conversation with Paul George was FIFA video game trash talk texts last summer during the Rio Olympics.
— Nick DePaula (@NickDePaula) June 29, 2017
Thompson is not set to become a free agent until after the 2018-19 season. By not being named to the All-NBA team this past season, Thompson is no longer eligible to sign a five-year, $217 million designated veteran player exception.
However, he can still qualify for a five-year, $217 million deal, should be make the All-NBA team in either of the two upcoming seasons.
Thompson has loose ties to the Lakers organization, as his father Mychal, won titles with the team in 1987 and ’88. Aside from the financial factor, whether Thompson would be willing to walk away from what projects to be an NBA juggernaut, is difficult to envision.