NBA trade rumors are rampant about the Indiana Pacers, who are rumored to let go of Paul George. The shooting guard is said to walk straight to Lakers' door, who are relying on free agency market after Kobe Bryant's exit.
According to Bill Simmons of HBO "The Ring," the Lakers are aggressively fighting to get George on their roster. However, Simmons believes that George won't be donning purple and gold anytime soon.
"Also hearing that the Lakers want to make a BIG run at Paul George with their top-3 pick plus other stuff," he tweeted out. "Not that they'd get him," he added.
Also hearing that the Lakers want to make a BIG run at Paul George with their top-3 pick plus other stuff. (Not that they'd get him...)
— Bill Simmons (@BillSimmons) May 4, 2016 " data-caption="null" data-credit="null">According to reports, the Lakers will need to have an impressive group of trade assets to at least get the attention of Pacers president Larry Bird.
Since the team's first-round draft pick is Top 3 protected for this year and the Philadelphia 76ers are next in line should it drop lower than No. 3 overall, the Lakers' only chance to get George is via 2016 NBA Draft lottery.
Meanwhile, Hoops Habit believes that the Denver Nuggets should take advantage of George being in the free market. While it will certainly be a rare sight to see (having a big name like him), which makes the switch unlikely, the site says that Nuggets general manager Tim Connelly should at least take a shot.
In related news, the Pacers are in a bit of a shakeup in the coaching department too. Frank Vogel recently severed his ties to the Pacers, launching the franchise's search for his replacement.
In lieu of Vogel's exit, George posted a message to him on Instagram celebrating their friendship. Calling his former coach "one of the most influential men in my life," he promised that their "relationship and love don't end here."
"Thank you for the journey and the memories we shared together! This pic sums up our relationship the best. You talk, I listen... And we figure it out together! Look forward to the wink the first basket I make while you're coaching against me," he added.
Many teams have allegedly reached out to recruit Vogel as coach, with the Grizzlies reportedly expressing the biggest interest.
