NBA Rumors: Lakers ‘Shouldn’t Count On’ Paul George Signing Next Summer

The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly decided that they wouldn’t trade for Paul George this offseason. They might regret that decision.

The Indiana Pacers sent shockwaves around the NBA on Friday night when they agreed to trade the star forward to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis.

Many teams were hesitant to trade for George, as his expiring contract poised him as a one-year rental player. Not to mention, rumors have circulated that George has interest in signing with the Lakers in free agency next summer.

But now that he’s teamed up with Russell Westbrook in OKC, there’s a chance George could have a change of heart. Joining the Lakers next year apparently is not a lock, as Chris Mannix of Yahoo! Sports noted in a tweet.

The Thunder were the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference last season, and the addition of George likely will see them ascend in the standings in 2017-18. If OKC can make a deep playoff run, the Lakers have every reason to start getting nervous.

Thumbnail photo via Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY Sports Images