Paul George apparently is untouchable at the NBA trade deadline.
The Indiana Pacers won’t consider trading their star player before 3 p.m. Thursday, The Indianapolis Star’s Nate Taylor reported Tuesday, citing multiple sources. Indiana rather would add perimeter or frontcourt players to its squad with hopes of improving its playoff prospects, per Taylor.
George has been the subject of multiple rumors in recent days, with some NBA executives speculating the Pacers would be willing to send him to the Boston Celtics in a blockbuster deal. However, other rumors have claimed Indiana would be willing to trade its first-round pick in the 2017 NBA draft for an impact player to complement George.
Taylor’s report suggests rumors of the All-Star forward staying put are closer to the truth.
Taylor claims Indiana hopes to form a core group comprised of George, point guard Jeff Teague and center Myles Turner. Teague’s contract expires this summer, and George’s runs until 2018 with a player option for the 2018-19 season. How Indiana finishes the regular season and performs in the playoffs likely will determine how Teague and George approach free agency, as well as the duration of this group’s window of opportunity.
But there’s a good chance that trio remains in place beyond the trade deadline, because it appears Indiana prefers addition to subtraction when talent is concerned.
Thumbnail photo via Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY Sports Images
