John Wall Says He's Recruiting Paul George to Push for Wizards Trade

Washington Wizards star John Wall wants to play alongside Indiana Pacers swingman Paul George and said he is doing what he can to make that happen.

"I am talking to some guys—Paul," Wall said Monday, per Marc J. Spears of ESPN's The Undefeated. "I know his ultimate goal of where he wants to be. I'm trying to see if we can make something happen."

Wall's hint he knows where George ultimately wants to play comes after Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reported the four-time All-Star told Indiana's front office he prefers to play for the Los Angeles Lakers and plans on leaving in the summer of 2018.

While the threat of George bolting for the Purple and Gold would seem to make him less desirable of a target from Washington's perspective, Spears said the two sides have discussed a trade even though a deal is not "close at the moment."

David Aldridge of TNT also reported earlier in the offseason "the Wizards are looking for a way to make a George deal happen."

Even if it was only for a season, a combination of George, Bradley Beal and Wall would make Washington instant contenders in the Eastern Conference, especially after it took the No. 1-seeded Boston Celtics to a decisive seven games in the second round of the playoffs.

George scored a career-high 23.7 points per game in 2016-17 and could defend the likes of LeBron James in a playoff series should Washington face the three-time defending East champion Cleveland Cavaliers.

Wall recognized the potential, per Spears:

"Look at our team. We are one piece away. We have the point guard, we have the shooting guard, we have the center, we have the power forward. Our 3-man, [Otto Porter Jr.], did great for us. You can't take nothing away from what he did. But, [George] is a guy that can guard LeBron and go back at LeBron. It's a piece that you're going to need to win. If you don't have a guy who can do that, you don't have a chance. ... You got to add another star. You got to add another piece. You got to have three guys. And that's what it's looking like."

Wall was adamant his team needs another star before the 2017-18 campaign. With George on the trading block, it has a chance to land one.