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Oklahoma City Thunder forward Paul George admitted his initial urge to come back home to Los Angeles, despite forming a new friendship with point guard Russell Westbrook and a new home in OKC after the Indiana Pacers traded him ahead of the start of the free agency period last year. That desire could have landed him with the L.A. Clippers, even after the Los Angeles Lakers didn't chase him as a potential trade opportunity in 2017.
George, who declared his allegiance to the Thunder with a four-year deal during an exuberant summer party right before the first day of free agency, explained how he was torn between following his heart or his head during a short offseason.
“I wanted to go back home,” George told Rob Mahoney of Sports Illustrated.
Home meant his native Palmdale, close to Los Angeles, the home of his basketball idol, Kobe Bryant. George dreamed of suiting up in purple and gold, but knew the opportunity he had in front of him.
“If that didn’t work,” he added, “I absolutely wouldn’t have minded playing for the Clippers.”
“Being in a good situation. Being around good people. Feeling like I can still have a chance to win. This organization being one of the best that I can be a part of. That was a lot to weigh. Do I pass up something that I know is good?” Part of being human, George says, is feeling torn between the things you want. “Obviously, I wanted to come back home,” he says. “My family wanted me to come back home.”
The veteran part of George ultimately urged him to seize his current opportunity and stay with the Thunder, giving him a clear shot at the playoffs every year alongside Westbrook and an improved supporting cast.
With Carmelo Anthony out of the picture, George will see more shots and ample opportunities to spot up and take opponents off the dribble without needing to constantly look for Anthony to get his fair due at the offensive end.
