Pacers' Bird calls George trade rumors 'fake news'

It appears that the Indiana Pacers had zero intention of moving Paul George at this year's trade deadline.

While a number of reports suggested that the Pacers were at least listening to offers on George, team president Larry Bird claims there is zero truth to the rumors that Indiana was shopping its All-Star forward.

"I wasn’t motivated to move Paul George at the deadline," Bird told Tania Ganguli of The Los Angeles Times. "I can’t remember if it was even brought up or not. I don’t think it was. It’s all fake news anyway. You know that. Somebody’s gonna start it and (it) just was a snowball effect. (The phone call) was not about Paul George."

Reports surfaced last month that while ownership was compelled to gauge the market for the 26-year-old, Bird was determined to reject all pitches for George.

An unrestricted free agent in 2018, George has the ability to sign an extension with Indiana in July, but is reportedly intent on signing with the Lakers next summer if Indiana isn't a contender by then.

The 6-foot-9 small forward is averaging 21.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 1.5 steals on 44.1 percent shooting this season.