The Summer of George: Three ways the Timberwolves can get involved in Paul George sweepstakes
Paul George looks like a certainty to leave the Indiana Pacers sooner rather than later. Earlier in the week, the Vertical reported that the All-Star forward has told the Indiana front office that he intends on leaving in free agency.
With Los Angeles is his ideal destination, the Lakers are looking like they’re in the box seat. However, the Pacers are not willing to let the best player since Reggie Miller leave for free. A trade seems likely.
There will be a lot of suitors looking at Paul George, even if it is a rental. The Minnesota Timberwolves can find themselves in the thick of the action in three very different ways.
Unpopular opinion: Keep George
Not since the Mickey Mouse Club of the early 90’s has there been this much young talent put together. However, let’s be honest, there is a time where young teams need to take that next step.
That time can be now. Whilst the young studs like Karl Anthony-Towns and Andrew Wiggins are looking like they will be great for a long time, there is something that this team lacks. Playoff experience. That is something that Paul George has. He is a proven playoff performer.
Paul George is an absolute beast. He averaged 23.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists in 2016-17, and is one of the best two-way players in the league.
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The multiple time All-Star would certainly grant Minnesota its’ first playoff berth since the 2003-2004 season. Considering the potential this team could have, the Timberwolves would be a squad no team would want to face in a seven-game series.
The Wolves are in the longest playoff drought in the NBA, and whilst there are rain clouds ahead, an early shower would not go astray for the Minnesota fans. Now that I think about it, I don’t hate the nickname ‘rainmaker’ for George.
I can hear you from here; “no way Paul George stays in Minnesota”. Why not? This is an opportunity to acquire a star at under his trade value. That does not happen every day. If George values winning long-term, then joining forces with the best young center in the game would go a long way to achieving that.
Furthermore, Paul George is only 27, and would still be playing at a high level when Towns and Wiggins reach their peak.
Minnesota will be a destination for players, with a talented roster, and a great coach. Adding a superstar now would do the franchise wonders. If the Timberwolves back themselves, then the payoff could be massive.
Popular opinion: Be the third team in a trade
A more popular, and a probably more realistic option is for the Timberwolves as the third-party in a trade for Paul George.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are one of the most logical destinations for a George trade. The Cavs need to roll the dice on a big move to compete with the Warriors. Whilst Kyrie Irving and his ability to make the impossible look easy (and at times, make the easy look impossible) is highly valued in Cleveland, Kevin Love seems to be the odd man out.
However, if George leaves, Indiana would look to rebuild. There is no way they want to take on Kevin Love. Step forward, Minnesota.
Now, this is not a new take. There have been previous Dunking with Wolves articles discussing the idea of the Wolves being the team to take on Kevin Love to help Cleveland bring in George.
"Let’s take a look at a possible trade scenario. The Wolves could send this year’s first round pick, 2019’s first round pick (assuming they make the playoffs next year and Atlanta gets the pick owed to them by Minnesota) and Zach LaVine to Indiana, the Pacers send George to Cleveland, and the Cavs send Love to Minnesota. The Wolves should be able to absorb Love’s full salary with Nikola Pekovic’s contract hopefully coming off the books this offseason."
Bringing Kevin Love back to Minnesota would make a lot of fans happy. The power forward position is one that is a weak spot in the Wolves’ starting five. Whilst the defensive fit with Towns is suspect, the offensive force could be special. Nobody wants to think about defending Towns and Love both shooting threes at will.
Other option: Take on Lakers’ salary
Another way the Timberwolves can get involved in the Paul George sweepstakes is the deal with the Lakers directly. The LA Lakers are the front-runners to sign George as a free agent next season.
However, with teams such as Cleveland prying, they may also make a trade to secure him early. Although, the Lakers would be unlikely to want to surrender the second pick in the draft or Brandon Ingram.
As reported on Real GM, the Lakers will likely offer a combination of Jordan Clarkson, Julius Randle and possibly the 28th pick in the draft for George.
However, that is far less than a discount for the All-Star. If that is enough to temp Indiana is another story entirely though (personally, I would hang up the phone in laughter if I was the Pacers).
However, no matter how the Lakers bring in George, they don’t want to bring him into a rubbish team. The Lakers are one of the worst performing teams in the NBA and even with Paul George are no certainty to make the playoffs in the west. Or be any good at all.
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The Lakers treated themselves to some horrendous contracts last year and will need to shed them to build around George. If the Lakers are willing to attach assets to bad contracts like Luol Deng, then the Timberwolves could definitely look at taking on a bad contract.