Paul George (Photo : Getty Images)
Paul George could join the Los Angeles Lakers in 2017 if the Indiana Pacers' attempt to be strong title contenders this season fails.
The Indiana Pacers were able to bolster their roster this offseason in hopes of becoming legit contenders in the league. They were able to surround Paul George with veteran talents this offseason after signing Al Jefferson and trading for Jeff Teague and Thaddeus Young. And with Myles Turner poised for another breakout season, everything looks promising for Indiana heading into their 2016-2017 campaign.
However, there is also a possibility the Pacers' talents may underperform, which may force Indiana to blow their core. According to Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer, it is not impossible the Pacers would consider trading George if the "things don't go according to plan."
"Indiana could be on the cusp of a total rebuild if things don't go according to plan, making George a tradable star. It's not a scenario the Pacers want to contemplate, but other teams are keeping tabs," Connor wrote.
Bill Simmons, also a writer for The Ringer, claimed that one of the few teams ready to make a "big run" at George is the Lakers, and O'Connor believes the interest between PG13 and the Lakers might be mutual.
"L.A.'s interest in George might be mutual, too: George was a Lakers fan who idolized Kobe Bryant while growing up in Palmdale, California, and even called the Lakers a 'family-favorite team' before extending his Pacers contract in 2013," O'Connor added.
The Lakers have been desperate in finding a superstar to carry the franchise in the post-Kobe Bryant era, and George seems to fit the mold as the new face of the Purple and Gold.
While the Lakers have promising and talented youngsters in their fold, it is not expected that the any of the likes of D'Angelo Russell, Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle and Brandon Ingram would be a star in the next few years. Adding George to their lineup would not only help in speeding up the Lakers' rebuild process, but would also turn LA as an attractive free agent destination once again.
It is unlikely that George becomes available this season, but the timing for the Lakers to lure the All-Star forward back home could be right in 2017, especially if the Pacers fail to live any of their expectations this season.
