Two NBA franchise notorious for owning a lot of titles has been busy filling in their rosters with young guns but know that they will not get anywhere without an established superstar.
The teams in mention are the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics, both who seem to be ready to climb higher from their previous predicaments. And both reportedly have one player on their radars, Paul George of the Indiana Pacers.
Sudden interest for George does come as a surprise and is likely nothing more than fantasy-based transactions that critics and fans have theorized without proper sources. On the serious side, the Pacers are not dangling George for now though Pacers president Larry Bird will entertain transactions only if they get someone equal or better for the rising star forward.
Who can the Celtics offer?
The Celtics are loaded can could do well to improve at the small forward position. Jae Crowder seems the logical choice to be offered though Danny Ainge may have to sweeten the deal a bit with added players like perhaps Marcus Smart or even Kelly Olynyk. While the Celtics could be a good place for George, its lack of potential players to offer somehow makes this deal a bit sketchy.
Young Lakers core for George?
For the Lakers, they have a lot of rising stars on their end. D’Angelo Russell and Brandon Ingram are curious players to dangle, but so are Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle or even Larry Nance Jr.
Russell, Ingram, and Clarkson could be perfect for the run-and-gun philosophy that Bird wants employed. The trio look fit for such a system but the star power is still in question.
Nothing but speculation
Right now, any trade involving Paul George looks far from happening. There is no credible proof that the Pacers want to ship the all-star forward, at least not now. Could all that change come the 2016-17 season?
