Cleveland Cavaliers: The Paul George sweepstakes may be reopening
By Alex Krasnow
The Paul George sweepstakes may be re-opening, and the Cleveland Cavaliers must try to secure a deal this time around.
Paul George was one of the most sought-after NBA stars unhappy with their situation this past summer. After weeks of rumors following PG13’s trade request, the Oklahoma City Thunder pulled the trigger on a deal. Sending Victor Oladipo and Domantis Sabonis to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for George. With Paul on the final year of his contract and the Thunder off to a slow start, could the Paul George sweepstakes be opening again?
Trouble in the Sooner state
Nearly a quarter of the way through the season Oklahoma City sits at 8-11, currently holding the 9th seed in the Western Conference. On a team with championship aspirations, the slow start is worrisome for Thunder fans. As there seem to be some serious chemistry issues between the new “Big 3” in Oklahoma.
Prior to the season, reporters and analysts around the league were unsure if the new superstar trio would thrive together. Some noted that Westbrook, George, and Carmelo Anthony have had success in their careers primarily as ball dominant players, and combining them would create an iso-ball disaster.
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If the tandem can’t mix soon, the Thunder may need to look elsewhere.
If the Cavs didn’t acquire George then, how could they now?
While exact offers have not been released to the public, it is a well-known fact that the Cleveland Cavaliers had serious interest in acquiring PG13 from Indiana this past summer. Soon after the Pacers sent George to the Thunder, the Cavs had to deal with their own unhappy superstar.
In the Kyrie Irving deal, the Celtics sent Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and an unprotected first-round pick from the Brooklyn to the Cavs. Providing assets for Cleveland to compete and be active in the Draft or trade market.
How does Cleveland make this work?
Looking at acquisitions the Thunder have made in the past years, it is clear their organization values defense and stretch bigs. While the Cavs don’t have the talent to equal Paul George in a trade, they do have exactly what OKC is looking for.
George will be making approximately $19.5M over the course of this season. To complete this trade, the Cavs will have to send Iman Shumpert ($10.4M/year), Channing Frye ($7.4M/year), and the unprotected Brooklyn Nets first round pick.
Does PG13 in Cleveland make the Cavs Finals Favorites?
The Oklahoma City Thunder won’t be trading Paul George anytime soon. Nonetheless, if the Thunder can’t put it together the Cavs will be in a perfect position to make another groundbreaking move.
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And while trading away the security of the Nets 2018 pick is challenging for a city so accustomed to heartbreak, landing George may be the key to keeping Lebron in Cleveland.