The Los Angeles Lakers fans have gotten a bit delusional since Dwight Howard decided to bolt to the Houston Rockets. While the team may have an abundance of salary cap space and will go after the biggest free agents possible, the Lakers cannot get anyone the so please. So while fans are campaigning to get Paul George to return to his home town, the Indiana Pacers star says he is staying put.
Lakers fans are certainly going to push this issue hard. They are suggesting the team throw a max contract at the forward and the Lakers' front office appears to be on board. However, while participating in a Team USA mini-camp out in Las Vegas, George confirmed he and the Pacers are already discussing an extension.
ESPN's Marc Stein reports that George has no intentions of leaving the Pacers and he and team have briefly begun talks about a new contract that may or may not happen by Oct. 30. While George did grow up worshipping the likes of Kobe Bryant and the Lakers organization, he is happy building his future in Indiana.
"I'm happy, man. I'm happy in Indiana. It's overwhelming to hear that they would want a player like me to come play for their team. But right now I'm focused on Indiana. I'm happy to be in Indiana. Our future is bright in Indiana. I wouldn't want to leave something great," George told EPSN.com.
The assumption that George might sign with Los Angeles was almost inevitable. The team will be lobbying for a young talent that brings Howard's size. He recently bought a home in the San Fernando Valley. He is coming off a breakout season where many finally took notice of his talents and he could very easily be the next member of Team USA for the 2014 World Cup of Basketball in Spain.
The Pacers have until the end of October to reach an extension with Paul or he will become a restricted free agent next summer. Most sources report it is a "foregone conclusion" that Indiana gets the deal done early. George said he is in no rush to get a new deal finalized. He is on the same page with the front office and is happy to wait things out.
