The state of Paul George's contract has been the underlying elephant in the room ever since he was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder coming into this 2017-18 season. Whether he stays or goes at the end of this season will likely revolve on the outcome of the postseason, according to Sam Amick of USA TODAY Sports, who was a guest in Alex Kennedy's HoopsHype Podcast.
“Going into this season, I got a strong sense [he would stay],” said Amick. “I know you remember when he came out strong and said that the Thunder had already done everything to prove that they’re a championship-caliber organization. He set this early tone that he didn’t want to go anywhere. But we all knew that we’d have to see how it all played out.”
“I feel like I’m on the fence here. The Lakers thing is real, but he has said consistently that winning and the long-term view and the on-court stuff is the No. 1 factor. So I’m going to take him at his word. I can’t really answer [where he lands] until I know what this OKC team does. We do know this: He has said it’s not a ‘championship or bust’ equation in his head.”
George was initially surprised and encouraged by the Thunder's aggressiveness following his acquisition, getting capable pieces like Patrick Patterson, and most-importantly making a last-minute move for Carmelo Anthony, once again pulling the rug from underneath another Western Conference team and getting an All-Star caliber player to join.
Yet despite all these improvements, nothing will speak louder than success in the postseason, as both Russell Westbrook and George were swiftly eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.
“So Paul is on record saying they don’t have to win it all this year for him to want to come back,” said Amick. “Does that mean they have to make the Conference Finals? Does that mean it just depends on how he’s feeling [about the situation] even if they only make it to the second round? The playoffs are going to be big. He likes the group. He likes the organization. They’re starting to work out the kinks and figuring out how to all play together… I’m going to say let’s wait until the playoffs and see what happens [before predicting what George will do].”
George has deep ties to his hometown L.A., but if what he wants is to build a road to postseason success, the Thunder might just be better equipped to handle that long-term, unless the Los Angeles Lakers can convince him of a structure to get there.
