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Paul George is still an Indiana Pacer hours ahead of the NBA Draft, which means trade rumors are only going to intensify until he’s either traded by the end of the massive event in Brooklyn, or Indiana makes it clear discussions have ended until further notice.
That’s led teams to come out of the trade season woodwork, tossing their names into the hat to acquire one of the top available players in the NBA. The Minnesota Timberwolves, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical, San Antonio Spurs, according to Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders, and the Portland Trail Blazers, according to Jason Quick of CSN Northwest, are the latest teams to be linked to the pursuit of George.
Wojnarowski and The Vertical held a special Facebook Live chat Wednesday on the eve of the NBA Draft, indicating that Indiana had fielded an array of offers they were sorting through for the majority of the day. Wojnarowski also indicated that the Indiana Pacers’ decision could lead all the way into the draft itself, should they trade George on Thursday.
It’s not surprising that specific teams are being listed as interested in George in the hours leading up to the draft. Much of it is typical rumor chatter, with agents, teams and the Pacers all spinning leverage whichever way they want it to go.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are reportedly out of the running for George, not able to field a competitive offer by using Kevin Love as the centerpiece of their outgoing assets. The Trail Blazers offer also didn’t “move the needle” enough for Indiana either, according to Quick.
Things have been quiet on the Lakers’ front, with the last that’s been heard from them still being picks No. 27 and 28, along with either Jordan Clarkson or Julius Randle.
The entire NBA is in a total avalanche descending upon the NBA Draft in Brooklyn. Kristaps Porzingis, LaMarcus Aldridge, Jimmy Butler and Paul George are just some of the big names in trade discussions right now.
Buckle up and enjoy your flight, folks.