The Indiana Pacers have finally moved All-Star forward Paul George on Friday night to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Despite being traded, Kevin Ding of the Bleacher Report is reporting that the 27-year-old is still intrigued with the scenario of joining his hometown Los Angeles Lakers next offseason.

The Lakers, under Johnson and Pelinka, have already conveyed to George behind the scenes how he can be the first to experience what they will do—and George wants in.

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George still has an opportunity to become an unrestricted free agent next summer, which has remained his primary motive for the last several weeks. In the meantime, he is on a team that can compete in the Western Conference and possibly make some noise in the playoffs.

The pairing between George and recently named MVP Russell Westbrook could be a highly productive tandem that brings forth plenty of success next season. Enough so to at least give him so doubt about making the jump to the Lakers.

However, George appears to be determined to get to Los Angeles at any means possible with his current standing still holding the option to opt out of his deal a year from now. Regardless of what unfolds, the Lakers will certainly remain in position to offer him a lucrative deal.