The Indiana Pacers continue to weigh their options regarding the seemingly imminent trade of superstar Paul George. Team president Kevin Pritchard has received numerous calls from teams all over the NBA with interest in George but has yet to make a decision on which proposed trade package to take as free agency draws near.
The Boston Celtics have been rumored to be a serious contender to acquire George in a blockbuster deal with the Pacers. Although Boston may be the frontrunner to land George, Danny Ainge and company may think the price for a potential one-year rental is too high, according to Mark Murphy of the Boston Herald:
League source: Celtics waiting to hear back from Indy's Pritchard, but consider his current demand for George unrealistic.
— Mark Murphy (@Murf56) June 29, 2017
There’s been a lot of talk about Boston’s plan to acquire George, and it may involve waiting to see if they can land Gordon Hayward in free agency. Hayward is set to meet with the Celtics once free agency gets underway this weekend and will also meet with the Miami Heat and his current team, the Utah Jazz.
As for the trade haul the Pacers want from the Celtics, Murphy says it involves multiple draft picks as well as starting players on their current roster:
Source added that Pritchard's last demand was for next year's Nets and Lakers picks, plus starting player(s).
— Mark Murphy (@Murf56) June 29, 2017
As for the Los Angeles Lakers, speculation has gone quiet in terms of the team’s intentions on trading for George. It was reported earlier this week that the Lakers brass is still targeting George in a trade, but there’s been more talk about the Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Houston Rockets being aggressive in discussions to acquire George this summer.
With all three teams outside of the Lakers being potentially in the running to sign George to an extension after this upcoming season, Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka could be forced to part ways with one of their treasured assets to get their hands on the superstar if they’re actually determined to get him on the team long-term.