Realistic Superstar Pairings That Could Form If Paul George Leaves OKC Thunder
The honeymoon is over for Paul George and the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the dissolution of their marriage might not be far behind.
ESPN's Ryen Russillo said on the latest episode of his podcast that George won't be re-upping with the Thunder as a free agent this offseason.
"Today is the first time I've heard from anybody that I trust that George is gone," Russillo said, via SLAM Online's Ryne Nelson. "… I don't know. It's a 'he's gone' deal."
OKC always knew this was a possibility when it dealt Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis to the Indiana Pacers last summer ahead of George's final contracted year. It's also worth nothing this still qualifies as merely a possibility, since the five-time All-Star left the door wide-open to staying put during his exit interview.
"I'd love to remain a Thunder," George said, per Sports Illustrated's Ben Golliver, "but that's what this summer is for. We'll address that in the summer."
Sorry, PG-13, but Russillo's report demands we don't wait that long.
Given the Thunder's disappointing campaign—one more win than last season, another first-round exit—it isn't hard to imagine George envisioning greener grass outside the Sooner State.
If he bolts, the Association could see the following superstar allegiances form.
Paul George and Kawhi Leonard
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If George is eyeing a change of scenery, why not join forces with another supreme two-way talent who might be plotting his own offseason escape?
Kawhi Leonard's 2017-18 campaign was worse than merely wasted by a quad injury that sidelined him for all but nine appearances. The longer he sat, the more warning sirens blared—from his rehabbing away from the team to Gregg Popovich's instructions to "ask his group" when inquired about Leonard's status, per ESPN's Ramona Shelburne and Michael C. Wright.
The ESPN scribes say the Spurs are wary of what happens next:
"Multiple league sources also told ESPN that the Spurs have grown worried that Leonard's group has an ulterior motive to fray the relationship and get Leonard traded to larger market such as Los Angeles [Leonard's hometown] or New York or Philadelphia.
"…One source close to [Spurs general manager R.C.] Buford said the longtime executive admitted to him that he's constantly losing sleep over how and why the relationship with Leonard has disintegrated."
Leonard and George could seemingly attract the same suitors and cancel out landing spots for one another. But with the Los Angeles Lakers having opened two max contract slots, perhaps there's a chance both L.A.-area natives are donning purple and gold come October.
That might cost L.A. Brandon Ingram and more, but the payoff is substantial.
George and Leonard averaged a combined 49.2 points in 2016-17, and they have a combined seven All-Defensive team selections between them. While each is a capable shot-creator, neither would be described as ball-dominant. Leonard was second in spot-up scoring in 2016-17, while George finished 11th this past season. That means both are built to thrive alongside a floor general like Lonzo Ball.
The Ball-George-Leonard trio would all stand between 6'6" and 6'9", opening a plethora of switching opportunities for L.A.'s improved defense. Add athleticism and fast-break prowess to the mix, and this becomes a potential problem for opponents on both ends of the floor.
Paul George and Anthony Davis
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The New Orleans Pelicans have one of the best players on the planet in Anthony Davis. That sounds like a subjective take, but the numbers treat it more as an objective observation. The single-browed superstar finished this season second in player efficiency rating, ninth in real plus-minus and top-five or better in points (second), rebounds (fifth) and blocks (first).
The Pelicans also have a criminally underwhelming wing rotation around Davis. Between E'Twaun Moore, Ian Clark, Darius Miller and Solomon Hill, there isn't a player who would start on a legitimate contender.
New Orleans, of course, doesn't have the cap space to sign George outright. There's already at least $92.8 million on next season's books, and that's before whatever it costs to keep DeMarcus Cousins. (As long as Davis wants Boogie around, it's hard to see the Pelicans pivoting away from the twin towers.)
But George could help out the Big Easy if he sees that as the ideal landing spot.
"Like [Chris] Paul last year, George could opt into his $20.7 million contract with the intent of being traded to a team that could not afford to sign him as a free agent," ESPN's Bobby Marks wrote.
If George is interested, and the Pelicans are willing to build a package around Nikola Mirotic—a shooting and scoring upgrade to OKC's frontcourt—this might be the best shot New Orleans has at contending before Davis reaches free agency in 2020 or 2021.
The wings would go from a weakness to an asset, with George not only bolstering the offense's potency but also providing the long, agile, versatile defensive presence New Orleans lacks outside. Suddenly, the Pelicans have a realistic way of slowing down (or at least bothering) James, Kevin Durant, Gordon Hayward or whatever other scoring wing lies in their championship path.
While some might argue Mirotic makes for a better frontcourt partner to Davis than Cousins in the modern NBA—Mirotic-Davis bettered Cousins-Davis by 6.5 points per 100 possessions—it's impossible to argue for Mirotic-Davis over George-Cousins-Davis. Besides, Mirotic is susceptible to getting bottled up by athletic, small-ball defenders while Cousins could prove the perfect counter against them.
Paul George and LeBron James
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L.A.'s interest in pairing George with LeBron James is the worst-kept secret in basketball. The attraction to George has been transparent enough to draw a $500,000 tampering fine, while the appeal of James is—or at least should be—felt across the league.
This has been the ideal Lakers' blueprint since at least last summer, and it remains atop their offseason wish list.
"The Lakers' plan hasn't changed," ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski said in April. "They want to get both of them."
Who wouldn't?
James is still the NBA's most dominant force. His production this season—27.5 points on 54.2 percent shooting, 9.1 assists and 8.6 rebounds—was unprecedented. At 33 years old, he probably should be fighting against Father Time, but that's assuming basketball cyborgs age like the rest of us.
George has been the focal point of an Eastern Conference finalist before (unfortunately, James was on the other side of that matchup) and long ago silenced any questions about his horrific leg injury in 2014. George also looks like the consummate complement to James as a relentless defender, sharpshooter (39-plus percent from distance three of the last four seasons) and secondary scoring leader.
George also sounds almost as interested in the Lakers as they are in him.
"I would say almost everybody in this league would love to play at home," per the Oklahoman (via LakersNation.com). "I won't say that's a lie. Everybody would love to play for their home in one way or the other."
You know what beats playing at home? Doing it alongside a motivated James and an intriguing young core all focused on returning this storied franchise to its former glory days.
Paul George, Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons
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While the money spent on billboards recruiting LeBron to Philly generated a lot of press, it's the money saved on the Sixers' future books that makes them this summer's most interesting shopper.
Philly has the third-most practical salary-cap space for next season. The five other teams with the most wiggle room all had losing records and missed out on the playoffs. The Sixers won 52 games and at least one postseason series—with 24-year-old Joel Embiid and 21-year-old Ben Simmons doing the heaviest lifting.
"What high-end free agent...wouldn't answer the Sixers' call with that much money available?" Bleacher Report's Dan Favale wrote. "When other cap-rich situations are in short supply?"
Even if other competitive clubs had money, the Sixers would have convincing arguments to make on their behalf.
No one played better from January to the end of the regular season, when Philly went 35-11 with a plus-9.5 net rating. No one has a more attractive young duo than Simmons and Embiid, who are averaging a combined 40 points, 21 rebounds, 11.3 assists and three blocks in the playoffs. And few, if any, contenders could carve out a bigger role for George, as Philly needs his outside scoring and defense.
The Sixers reportedly made a substantial run at trading for George at the 2017 deadline, per LibertyBallers.com. Fast-forward to December, and George was praising the Sixers as being "ready to take that next step," per Fred Katz of the Norman Transcript.
Philly is in the middle of its leap right now. George—who makes for an easier on-court fit than James—could be the boost that keeps this club skyrocketing up the NBA's pecking order.
Paul George, James Harden and Chris Paul
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Never underestimate the creativity and cap-crunching genius of Houston Rockets general manager Daryl Morey.
The Rockets couldn't afford Chris Paul last summer, until Morey waved his magic wand and suddenly had the space. Many questioned how All-Star point guards Paul and James Harden would fit, until the two thrashed opponents by 13.6 points per 100 possessions.
That's why Houston finding a path to George—a route it tried to uncover in June—feels right up Morey's alley.
George could simplify the process by opting into his deal and just getting traded there, perhaps for a package featuring Eric Gordon. (Did you see OKC's shooting guard play this postseason?) If George has other ideas, Morey will need to take up residence in that familiar place well outside the box.
Bleacher Report's Eric Pincus plotted a way to create a $51.3 million pool for Paul and another top-tier target (in that case, LeBron). It's predictably big on cuts, likely leading to the sacrifices of Gordon, P.J. Tucker and a first-round pick (attached to Ryan Anderson's burdensome deal). But even the best role players are replaceable if the reward is an All-Star trio.
George won't find a higher current ceiling than he'd have with Houston, this season's best team by wins (65) and net rating (plus-8.5). He fits both the run-and-gun, three-point-heavy offense and the switch-happy, contemporary defense. He'd also land in the third-option role that might suit his skills best, buying him breathers on offense as a spot-up shooter and allowing him to give extra effort on defense.
Unless otherwise indicated, all stats are from Basketball Reference or NBA.com. Salary information obtained via Basketball Insiders.
Zach Buckley covers the NBA for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter: @ZachBuckleyNBA.
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