Thunder’s Paul George admits Pacers exit ‘could have been done a lot better’

This past summer was one of the most active in NBA history in terms of movement of star players around the league during the offseason. Superstar forward Paul George was one of the players traded with the longtime face of the Indiana Pacers being dealt to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

George made it clear to the Pacers brass that he wanted out and intends to sign with his hometown Los Angeles Lakers once he becomes a free agent next summer. Things got ugly after that with the team unwilling to meet his demands refused to trade him to Los Angeles. The perennial All-Star admitted things should’ve gone differently, via Clifton Brown of IndyStar.com.

“Obviously, I’m human. Things could have been done a lot better. The process, that whole ordeal could have been done a lot better. I’ll share some of that responsibility. But at the end of the day, I did what was best for myself, what was best for my family. I had to move on. It was the right decision for myself. I’m happy. I’m happy with what the results were.”

The long-term future for George remains uncertain as he can still become a free agent after the 2017-18 campaign and control his own fate. The Lakers will almost certainly make a run at George if he’s available and doesn’t decide to re-sign with the Thunder to continue playing alongside Carmelo Anthony and reigning NBA MVP, Russell Westbrook.

The Thunder are currently 1-2 on the season having lost two straight. George averages 21.3 points per game which is second on the team behind Anthony (23.7) and ahead of Westbrook (19.3).